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I 


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ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY 

OP  THE 

UNITED  STATES  MINT 

WITH  SHORT  HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  AND  ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  THE  BRANCH  MINTS 
AND  ASSAY  OFFICES,  AND  A COMPLETE  DESCRIPTION  OF 

AMERICAN  COINAGE 

From  the  earliest  period  to  the  present  time  ; the 
Process  of  Melting,  Refining,  Assaying, 
and  Coining  Gold  and  Silver  being 
fully  described 

WITH  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  OF  THE 

MINT  OFFICERS  FROM  ITS  FOUNDATION  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 


TO  WHICH  ARE  ADDED 

A.  GLOSSARY  OF  MINT  THRIVES 


AND  THE 

LATEST  OFFICIAL  TABLES 


OF  THE 

Operations  of  the  different  Mints  and  Assay  Offices,  showing 
the  Annual  Products  of  Gold  and  Silver  in  the  United 
States  and  Foreign  Countries,  with  Monetary 
Statistics  of  the  World. 


WITH  PHOTO-ILLUSTRATIONS  AND  FINE  ENGRAVINGS  AND  THIRTY-TWO 
PLATES  OF  RARE  COINS. 


New  Revised  Edition , Edited  by  the  Publisher . 

(Seventy-first  Thousand). 


PHILADELPHIA: 

GEORGE  G.  EVANS,  Publisher, 

1314  Filbert  Street. 

1892. 


I 


Copyrighted  by 

George  G.  Evans, 
1885. 

ftMopjrigbted,  1888  acd  IJSOk 


DUNLAP  ft  CLARKE, 
Painters  and  Book  Binder*, 
1306-8-10  Filbert  Street, 
Philadelphia. 


INDEX 


PAGK 

Adjusting  room  32 

American  coinage,  history  of  from  1792  to  1890 81-89 

Ancient  coining 2 

“ Greek  coins 44 

“ Persian  coins 45 

*•  Roman  coins 46 

Annealing  furnaces 29 

Approximate  distribution,  gold  and  silver,  from  the  mines  of  the  different  .States 

and  Territories  for  the  year  1891 133 

Appropriations,  Mint  and  Assay  offices,  1892 145 

Architecture  indebted  to  coins 5 

Assay,  process  of 23 

Assayers  of  Mint 118 

Assaying  gold 24 

“ silver 25 

“ rooms 24 

Barber,  Charles  E.,  Mint  Engraver 128 

“ William,  “ “ 127 

Bond  of  indemnity  signed  by  employees  of  first  Mint,  1799 17 

Booth,  James  C.,  Melter  and  Refiner 123 

Boudinot,  Elias 102 

Bosbyshell,  Colonel  O.  C.,  Coiner 116 

“ “ “ Superintendent 110 

Boyd,  N.  B.,  Assistant  Melter  ad  Refiner 124 

Brazilian  coins 58 

Bullion,  delivered  on  purchases  of  silver 143 

“ operations,  Melting  Department,  1891 135 

“ operated  upon,  1*91 136 

“ delivered  on  Silver  purchases 144 

Burchard,  Horatio  C.,  second  Director 100 

Cabinet  of  coins  and  relics 41 

Cashiers  of  the  Mint 129, 130 

Childs,  George  H.,  Coiner 116 

Chinese  coins 51 

Circulation  of  silver  dollars 1<»4 

Cloud,  Joseph 123 

Cobb,  Mark  H.,  Chief  Clerk 123 

Coinage  Act  of  1873  99, 100 

“ and  milling  rooms  35 

“ fiscal  year 135 

“ of  first  silver  dollar 15 

“ fiscal  year,  1891 132 

Coiners  of  Mint 114-1  8 

Coin  dealers 179 

Coins,  classification  of. 48-68 

“ English,  of  the  Commonwealth  and  Cromwell 56-57 

“ issued  at  the  Philadelphia  Mint  from  its  establishment  in  1792  to  1890 81-80 

“ of  Atiieii* 47 

“ of  China 51 

“ of  Egypt 45 

of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella 67 

“ of  .Siam 50 

“ of  Switzerland 55 

“ of  Syria _ 46 

Colonial  coins  _ 59 

“ pine  tree  money 59 

Confederate  coins  (C.S.A) 63 

Copy  of  paper  laid  in  corner-stone  of  the  Mint 18 

“ old  pay-roll 12 

Costumes  on  coins 5 

Cost  of  coinage,  each  Mint,  1891 142 

Cox,  Albion 129 

Curator  of  the  Mint 130 

Curiosities  and  minerals..,.,,, 43. 


IV 


Deliveries  on  purchases  of  silver,  1891 ......... j 142 

“ on  purchases  of  silver,  1890-91 143 

“ on  purchases  of  silver,  1878 143 

Deposit  melting  room 23 

“ weighing  room 21 

Deposits  and  purchases  of  gold  and  silver 134 

DeSaussure,  Henry  William,  Director 101 

Directors  and  Superintendents  of  Mints 101-111 

Dollar  of  1804,  history  of. 64 

“ standard, jhistory  of. 32 

“ tra<l  e,  history  of 61 

Donations  of  old  coins 69 

Double  eagle  of  1849,  history  of. 66 

Du  Bois,  William  E.,  Assayer 121-123 

Earnings  of  Mints  and  Assay  offices 138 

Eckfeldt,  Adam,  Coiner 115 

“ George  N.,  M.  D.,  Director 103 

“ Jacob  B.,  Assayer . 128-120 

English  coins 55,  56 

“ silver  tokens 57 

Engravers  and  die-sinkers  at  the  Mint 125 

Engraving  dies 34 

Egyptian  coins . 54 

Establishment  of  the  Mint 13 

Estimated  value  of  foreign  coins  (official  table  of)  147-148 

Exports  of  silver,  1 891 139 

Extract  from  Constitution  of  the  United  States  relating  to  coining 132 

“ from  resolution  of  Congress  relating  to  Mint 19 

“ from  the  Director’s  last  report 100 

Family  coins  (Grecian). .. 47 

First  silver  dollar 15 

First  U.  S.  money  coined 15 

Foreign  coins,  value  of  in  United  States  Money  (table  of) 147 

Fox, Hon.  Daniel  M.,  Superintendent 108-109 

French  coins,  Marie  Antoinette,  etc 54 

German  coins 55 

Glossary  of  Mint  terms 153,154 

Gobrecht,  Christian „ 127 

Gold  and  silver  productions  of  the  world 141 

“ coins  of  Oliver  Cromwell 57 

“ and  silver  coins  manufactured  at  the  Philadelphia  Mint  since  its  establish- 
ment in  1792 81-89 

“ and  Silver  Bullion  in  the  Mints  and  Assay  Offices,  1891. 140 

“ imports,  1891  139 

“ exports,  1891 - 138 

“ and  silver  bars  manufactured 145 

“ medalic  ducat,  head  of  Luther . 55 

Golden  daric  of  Persia 45 

Grecian  coins . 44 

Greek  Republic 46 

Gun  Money  of  James  II 57 

Hamilton,  Alexander..... 92 

Head  of  Jupiter  Ammon  (a  specimen  of) ,1 47 

“ of  Minerva,  with  Greek  helmet 55 

Heraldic  emblems..... 5 

Historical  sketch  of  first  U.  S.  Mint — 7-10 

History  of  coinage,  ancient  and  modern 1-6 

“ of  present  U.  S.  Mint 18 

Highest  and  lowest  price  of  gold,  New  York 149 

Humor  pictured  in  medals  and  coins 5 

Imports  of  silver,  1891 140 

Incidents  of  history  on  coins 4 

Introduction 1-2 

Japanese  coins 53 

Jefferson,  Thomas 90,  91 

“Joe”  and  half  “Joe” 58 

Kimball,  James  Putnam 93,  94 

Key,  William  H.,  Assistant  Engraver 116 

Kneass,  William,  Engraver U4 

Knox,  John  Jay 95-98 


Y 


Language  upon  coins  and  medals 6 

Leech,  Edward  O.,  Director 96 

Linderman,  Henry  Richard,  M.  D 104-108 

Longacre,  James  B.,  Engraver 115 

List  of  Superintendents 164 

McClure,  R.  A.,  Curator 129 

McCullough,  Richard  S 123 

Medals  obtained  at  the  Mint! 154-155 

Melter  and  Refiner’s  office 23 

Melters  and  Refiners  of  the  Mint 123,124 

Melting  rooms 26 

Metallic  stock,  Nov.  1, 1891 141 

Metallic  money  in  Colonial  times 60 

Mexican  coins 58 

Minor  coinage,  1891 .. - 137 

Money  of  Great  Britain 65 

“ of  the  Chinese  Empire 51 

“ “ French  “ 64 

“ “ German  “ 55 

“ “ Grecian  “ 46 

“ “ past  and  present 1 

“ “ Roman  Empire 46 

“ “ time  of  Moses 46 

“ “ Turkish  Empire 46 

“ “ United  States 61 

Moore,  Samuel,  M.  D,,  Director 102 

Morgan,  George  T.,  Assistant  Engraver 128 

Morris,  Robert,  diary  of 7 

New  York  doubloon 61. 

Notes  on  the  early  history  of  the  Mint 7-10 

Oak  tree  money 60 

Oliver  Cromwell,  cast  of. 142 

Operations,  minor  assay  offices,  1891 35 

Oriental  coins 50,  67 

Our  gold  and  silver 157 

Pacific  coast  coins 62 

Paper  and  specie  circulation,  principal  countries 150 

Parting  ana  refining 26 

Patterson, Robert,  LL.  D.,  Director 102 

“ Robert  M.,  Director 102 

Pay-roll  of  first  Mint 12 

Peale,  Franklin,  Coiner  and  Assayer 115 

Penny  of  William  the  Conqueror 56 

Parisian  coins 45 

“ Peter  ” the  Eagle  (Mint  bird) '. 43 

Pettit,  Thomas  M.,  Director 103 

Pine  tree  money 59 

Pollock,  James,  A.  M.,  L.L.  D.,  Director 103 

Portraiture  upon  coins 3 

Portuguese  and  Spanish,  coins 58 

Pound  sterling,  Charles  First 58 

Product  of  gold  and  silver  in  the  world 141 

Profit  on  silver  coinage 137 

Progress  in  coining ,, 33 


Rarity  and  condition  of  coins 178 

Rare  coins 180 

Relics 42 

Resolution  of  Congress  establishing  the  Mint 11 

Richardson,  John,  Assayer 130 

“ Joseph,  “ 130 

Rittenhouse,  David,  First  Director 101 

Rolling  gold  and  silver..... 20 

Rolling  room 28 

Roman  coin,  imperial 46 

Rules  and  regulations  of  first  Mint 15, 16 

Rush,  Beniamin,  Treasurer 128 

Russian  coins 55 

“ double  rouble,  head  of  Peter  the  Great 55 

Ryal  or  ropal  of  Queen  Elizabeth 56 

Scott,  Robert,  Engraver 125 

Scotch  groat,  of  Robert  Bruce 56 

“ pennies 57 


VI 


Selections  of  rare  coins 66, 67 

Separating  room 26 

Siamese  coins 50 

Silver  coins  of  the  United  States  (see  table) ••  133 

Silver,  first  American 14 

Snowden,  Col.  A Loudon,  Coiner, Superintendent 104 

“ James  Ross,  L.L  D.,  Superintendent 104 

Sovereign  of  Oliver  Cromwell 57 

Standard  weights 130, 130 

Steel,  William  S.  Coiner 116 

Steel  plate  of  present  Mint 13 

Stock  of  money,  principal  countries 146 

Stock  of  U.  S.  coin,  J uly  1,  1889 150 

Table  showing  where  the  precious  metals  in  the  U.  S.  come  from 133 

“ The  temple  sweepers,”  Grecian  coin 49 

The  Carson  Mint,  Carson  City,  Nev 170 

■«  he  St.  Louis  Assay  office 164 

The  gold  and  silver  eras 15 1 

The  U.  S.  Assay  office,  Helena,  Montana 173 

The  U.  S.  Assay  office,  Boise  City,  Idaho 174 

Trade  dollar,  history  of. ' 62 

Twent  y dollar  gold  piece  of  1849 63 

Turkish  coins / 54 

Tuttle,  Di.  David  K.,  Melter  and  Refiner 124 

United  States  coins 61 

“ “ Mint  first  estab.ished 4 

“ Mint,  San  Francisco,  Cal 169 

“ Mint  at  New  Orleans 163 

“ Mint  test  for  gold  and  silver 153 

“ Assay  office,  New  "4  ork  158 

“ “ Branch  Mint,  Denver,  Col 170 

Visiting  the  mint 20 

Voigt,  Henry  Coiner 114 

“ Widow’s  mite,”  history  of 68 

World’s  coinage 142 

Wright,  Joseph,  Engraver 125 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Ancient  coining  press 33 

Ancient  and  modern  Japanese  gold  coins Plate  53 

Ancient  Chinese  coins Plate  55 

Ancient  Greek  and, Roman  coins Plate  61 

Ancient  Jewish  and  Greek  coins Plate  59 

Automatic  weighing  scales 22 

Carson  Mint,  Carson  City,  Nev 171 

Casting  Ingots 27 

Coining  press 38 

'Continental  paper  money 152 

Counting  board 40 

Cutting  machine 3l 

Delicate  scales 32 

Dies 34 

Drawing  bench 30 

First  United  States  Mint 13 

Hamilton,  Alexander 92 

Indian  Wampum . Plate  51 

Ingots 27 

Beech,  E.  O.,  (Director  U.  S.  Mints) 97 

Milling  Machine 36 

Morris,  Robert  (Financier) 7 

Perfected  coining  press 37 

Planchet  Strip 31 

Ro.ling  machine 29 

Steam  coining  press 34 

Steel  bullion  vaults 1 

Transfer  lathe 35 

Troy  standard  pound  weight 132 

United  States  gold  coins 89 

United  States  silver  coins Plate  9 

United  States  copper  coins Plate  23 

United  States  Assay  office,  New  York 159 

United  States  Assay  office,  Boise  City,  Idaho 1 75 

United  States  Branch  Mint,  Denver,  Col 167 

United  States  Mint,  New  Orleans,  La 165 

Uuited  States  Mint,  San  Francisco,  Cal 161 

Washington  coins  and  medals PI.  37,  39,41 

Weighing  room  scales  21 


GROUP  No.  1.  (In  Bound  Book.) 

Boudinot,  Elias ~| 

DeSaussune,  Henry  William j 

Eckert,  George  N | 

Moore,  Samuel 101 

Patterson,  Robert 1 

Patterson  Robert  Maskell j 

Rittenhouse,  David J 


GROUP  No.  2.  (In  Bound  Book.) 

Boshy shell,  Col.  O.  C ] 

Fox,  Daniel  M j 

Binderman,  Hon.  Henry  Richard | 

Pettit,  Thomas  M J- 102 

Pollock,  James [ 

Snowden,  Hon.  James  Ross j 

Snowden,  Col.  A.  Loudon J 


(VII) 


) 


Vault  for  the  Storage  of  Bullion,  Designed  and  Manufactured  by  Farrell  & Co.,  Philadelphia. 


INTRODUCTION. 


MONEY  OF  THE  PAST  AND  PRESENT. 


The  need  of  a circulating  medium  of  exchange  has  been 
acknowledged  since  the  earliest  ages  of  man.  In  the  primeval 
days,  bartering  was  the  foundation  of  commercial  intercourse 
between  the  various  races ; but  this  gave  way  in  time,  as  ex- 
changes increased.  In  the  different  ages  many  commodities 
have  been  made  to  serve  as  money, — tin  was  used  in  an- 
cient Syracuse  and  Britain;  iron,  in  Sparta;  cattle,  in  Rome 
and  Germany  ; platinum,  in  Russia  ; lead,  in  Burmah  ; nails, 
in  Scotland ; silk,  in  China ; cubes  of  pressed  tea,  in  Tar- 
tary ; salt,  in  Abyssinia  ; slaves,  amongst  the  Anglo  Saxons ; 
tobacco,  in  the  earliest  settlements  of  Virginia ; codfish,  in 
New  Eoundland;  bullets  and  wampum,  in  Massachusetts; 
logwood,  in  Campeachy ; sugar,  in  the  West  Indies;  and 
soap,  in  Mexico.  Money  of  leather  and  wood  was  in  cir- 
culation in  the  early  days  of  Rome ; and  the  natives  of  Siam, 
Bengal,  and  some  parts  of  Africa  used  the  brilliantly-colored 
cowry  shell  to  represent  value,  and  some  travelers  allege  that  it 
is  still  in  use  in  the  remote  portions  of  the  last-named  country. 
But  the  moneys  of  all  civilized  nations  have  been,  for  the  greater 
part,  made  of  gold,  silver,  copper,  and  bronze.  Shekels  of  silver 
are  mentioned  in  the  Bible  as  having  existed  in  the  days  of 
Abraham,  but  the  metals  are  believed  to  have  been  in  bars,  from 
which  proportionate  weights  were  chipped  to  suit  convenience. 
The  necessity  for  some  convenient  medium  having  an  intrinsic 
value  of  its  own  led  to  coinage,  but  the  exact  date  of  its  intro- 
duction is  a question  history  has  not  yet  determined.  It  is 
supposed  the  Lydians  stamped  metal  to  be  used  as  money  twelve 
hundred  years  before  Christ,  but  the  oldest  coins  extant  were 
made  800  B.  C.,  though  it  is  alleged  that  the  Chinese  cir- 
culated a square  bronze  coin  as  early  as  1120  B.  C.  All  of 
these  coins  were  rude  and  shapeless,  and  generally  engraved  with 
representations  of  animals,  deities,  nymphs,  and  the  like ; but 
the  Greeks  issued  coins,  about  300  B.  C.,  which  were  fine 
specimens  of  workmanship,  and  which  are  not  even  surpassed 
in  boldness  and  beauty  of  design  by  the  products  of  the  coiners 
of  these  modern  times.  Even  while  these  coins  were  in  circu- 
lation spits  and  skewers  were  accepted  by  the  Greeks  in  ex- 
change for  products,  just  as  wooden  and  metal  coins  were  err- 


2 


INTRODUCTION. 


<iulated  simultaneously  in  Rome,  TOO  B.  C.,  and  leather  and 
metal  coins  in  France,  as  late  as  1360  A.  D.  The  earliest  coins 
hearing  portraits  are  believed  to  have  been  issued  about  480 
B.  G.,  and  these  were  profiles.  In  the  third  century,  coins 
stamped  with  Gothic  front  faces  were  issued,  and  after  that  date 
a profusion  of  coins  were  brought  into  the  world, as  every  self- 
governing  city  issued  money  of  its  own.  The  earliest  money 
of  America  was  coined  of  brass,  in  1612,  and  the  earliest  colo- 
nial coins  were  stamped  in  Massachusetts,  forty  years  later. 

Ancient  and  extensive  as  the  use  of  money  has  been  in  all  its 
numerous  forms  and  varied  materials,  it  merely  represented  a 
property  value  which  had  been  created  by  manual  labor  and  pre- 
served by  the  organic  action  of  society.  In  a primitive  state, 
herds  of  cattle  and  crops  of  grain  were  almost  the  only  forms  of 
wealth  ; the  natural  tendency  and  disposition  of  men  to  accumu- 
late riches  led  them  to  fix  a special  value  upon  the  metals,  as  a 
durable  and  always  available  kind  of  property.  When  their  value 
in  this  way  was  generally  recognized,  the  taxes  and  other  revenues, 
created  by  kings  and  other  potentates,  was  collected  in  part  or 
wholly  in  that  form  of  money.  The  government,  to  facilitate 
public  business,  stamped  the  various  pieces  of  metal  with  their 
weight  and  quality,  as  they  were  received  at  the  Treasury ; and 
according  to  these  stamps  and  marks,  the  same  pieces  were  paid 
out  of  the  Treasury,  and  circulated  among  the  people  at  an  au- 
thorized and  fixed  value.  The  next  step  was  to  reduce  current 
prices  of  metal  to  a uniform  size,  shape,  and  qualitv,  value  and 
denomination,  and  make  them,  by  special  enactment,  a legal 
tender  for  the  payment  of  all  ta^es  or  public  dues. 

Thus,  a legalized  currency  of  coined  money  was  created,  and 
the  exchangeable  value  of  the  various  metals  used  for  that  pur- 
pose fully  established,  to  the  great  convenience  of  the  world  at 
large. 

Ancient  Coining. 

The  die  for  the  obverse  of  the  piece  to  be  struck  having  been 
engraved,  so  as  to  properly  piesent  the  religious  or  national 
symbol  used  for  a device  and  whatever  else  was  to  be  impressed 
upon  the  coin,  was  fixed  immovably  in  an  anvil  or  pedestal,  face 
upwards.  The  lumps  or  balls  of  metal  to  be  coined,  having 
been  made  of  a fixed  and  uniform  weight  and  nearly  of  an 
oblate  sphere  in  form,  were  grasped  in  a peculiarly  constructed 
pair  of  tongs  and  laid  upon  the  upturned  die.  A second  oper- 
ative then  placed  a punch  squarely  upon  the  ball  of  metal ; 
heavy  blows  from  a large  hammer  forced  the  punch  down  until 
the  metal  beneath  it  had  been  forced  into  every  part  of  the  die, 
and  a good  impress  secured.  In  the  meantime  the  punch 


INTRODUCTION. 


3 


'would  be  imbedded  in  the  lump  of  metal,  and  on  being  with- 
drawn the  reverse  of  the  coin  would  show  a rough  depression 
corresponding  to  the  shape  given  the  end  of  the  punch,  thereby 
making  an  uneven  surface  and  disfiguring  the  piece;  punch 
marks  gradually  developed  into  forms,  and  these  forms  combined 
with  figures  wrought  into  artistic  design,  until,  by  degrees,  the 
punch  itself  became  a die,  making  the  reverse  of  each  piece 
upon  which  it  was  used  equal  in  every  respect  to  the  obverse 
of  which  it  was  the  opposite.  This  perfection  of  the  reverse 
was,  however,  secured  at  the  expense  of  the  effectiveness  of  the 
punch  for  its  original  purpose. 

The  striking  of  coin  between  two  dies,  which  were  required  to 
accurately  oppose  each  other,  was  an  operation  requiring  great 
dexterity,  and  the  results  were  not  at  all  certain.  The  artisans 
at  this  stage  of  the  work,  hit  upon  the  expedient  of  using  both 
the  obverse  and  reverse  die  in  a ring  of  such  a size  and  depth, 
as  to  be  a guide  to  each  of  them.  The  balls  or  disks  of  metal 
being  struck  inside  the  ring,  between  the  dies,  were  forced  to 
assume  an  even  thickness,  and  a circular  form  corresponding 
with  the  inside  of  the  ring.  After  the  ring  had  been  used  in 
this  way  for  some  time,  it  was  engraved  upon  the  inside,  and 
the  coins  produced  were  not  only  circular  in  shape,  but  stamped 
upon  their  edges.  Thus  was  produced  the  perfect  coin,  and 
through  the  introduction  of  machinery  has  secured  uniformity 
in  the  result  and  saved  an  immense  amount  of  labor  in  striking 
vast  sums  of  money  ; the  artistic  beauty  of  some  of  the  antique 
specimens  has  not  been  surpassed  in  modern  times. 

Portraiture  upon  Coins. 

It  is  said  that  no  human  head  was  ever  stamped  upon  coins 
until  after  the  death  of  Alexander  the  Great ; he  being  regarded 
as  somewhat  of  a divinity,  his  effigy  was  impressed  upon  money, 
like  that  of  other  gods. 

The  knowledge  of  coins  and  medals,  through  the  inscriptions 
and  -devices  thereon,  is,  to  an  extent,  a history  of  the  world 
from  that  date  in  which  metals  were  applied  to  such  uses. 
Events  engraven  upon  these,  remain  hidden  in  tombs  or  buried 
in  the  bosom  of  the  earth,  deposited  there  in  ages  long  past,  by 
careful  and  miserly  hands,  only  awaiting  the  research  of  the  pa- 
tient investigator  to  tell  the  story  of  their  origin.  Numismatic 
treasures  are  scanned  as  evidence  of  facts  to  substantiate  state- 
ments upon  papyrus  or  stone,  and  dates  are  often  supplied  to  de- 
fine the  border  line  between  asserted  tradition  and  positive  his- 
tory. Gibbon  remarks:  “If  there  were  no  other  record  of 
Hadrian,  his  career  would  be  found  written  upon  the  coins  of 
his  reign.” 


4 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  rudeness  or  perfection  of  coins  and  medals  furnish  testi- 
mony of  the  character  and  culture  of  the  periods  of  their  produc- 
tion. This  is  equally  true  of  that  rarest  specimen  of  antiquity, 
the  Syracusan  silver  medal — the  oldest  known  to  collectors— and 
the  latest  triumph  of  the  graver’s  art  in  gold,  the  Metis  medal. 

It  is  not  generally  known  that  the  rarest  portraits  of  famous 
heroes  are  found  upon  coins  and  medals.  The  historian,  es- 
pecially the  historic  artist,  is  indebted  to  this  source  alone  for 
the  portraits  of  Alexander,  Ptolemy,  Cleopatra,  Mark  Antony, 
Caesar,  and  many  other  celebrities.  Perhaps  the  valuation  of 
a rare  coin  or  medal  may  be  estimated  by  reference  to  one  piece 
in  the  Philadelphia  Mint.  It  is  an  Egyptian  coin  as  large  as 
a half-eagle,  and  has  on  the  obverse  the  head  of  the  wife  of 
Ptolemy — Arsinoe — the  only  portrait  of  her  yet  discovered. 

Incidents  of  History 

Are  not  alone  recorded;  and  as  an  example  of  a very  different 
nature  may  be  cited  the  medals  commemorating  the  destruction 
of  Jerusalem,  and  the  whole  series  marking  that  episode,  es- 
pecially those  classed  “ Judaea  capta.”  They  tell  sadly  of  a. 
people’s  humiliation  : the  tied  or  chained  captive  ; the  mocking 
goddess  of  victory,  all  made  more  real  by  reason  of  the  intro- 
duction, on  the  reverse  of  each  piece,  of  a Jewess  weeping 
bitterly,  and  though  she  sits  under  a palm-tree,  the  national 
lament  of  another  captivity  is  forcibly  recalled. 

An  interesting  specimen  of  the  series  above  mentioned  was 
recently  found  in  the  south  of  France  called,  “ Judaea  Na- 
villas,”  valuable  particularly  because  it  strengthens  Josephus’s 
assertion  which  had  provoked  some  comment,  viz.  : the  fact  of 
the  escape  of  a large  number  of  Jews  from  the  Romans,  by 
means  of  ships,  at  Joppa. 

Coins  and  medals  mark  the  introduction  of  laws ; for 
example,  an  old  Porcian  coin  gives  the  date  of  the  “ law  of 
appeal,”  under  which,  two  centuries  and  a half  later,  Paul 
appealed  to  Caesar.  Another  relic  dates  the  introduction  of 
the  ballot-box ; and  a fact  interesting  to  the  agriculturist  is 
established  by  an  old  silver  coin  of  Ptolemy,  upon  which  a 
man  is  represented  cutting  millet  (a  variety  of  Indian  corn) 
with  a scythe.  Religions  have  been  promulgated  by  coins* 
Islamism  says  upon  a gold  coin,  “No  God  but  God,  Mo- 
hammed is  the  Prophet  and  God’s  chosen  apostle.” 

Persian  coins,  in  mystic  characters,  symbolize  the  dreadful 
sacrifices  of  the  Fire-Worshippers.  Henry  VIII,  with  charac- 
teristic egotism,  upon  a medal  announces  in  Hebrew,  Greek, 
and  Latin : “ Henry  Eighth,  King  of  England,  France,  and 


INTRODUCTION. 


5 


Ireland ; Defender  of  the  Faith,  and  in  the  land  of  England 
and  Ireland,  under  Christ,  the  Supreme  Head  of  the  Church.” 

Costumes  on  Coins. 

We  also  find  stamped  upon  coins  and  medals  the  costumes 
of  all  ages,  from  the  golden  net  confining  the  soft  tresses  of  the 
44  sorceress  of  the  Nile,”  and  the  gemmed  robe  of  Queen  Irene, 
to  the  broidered  stomacher  of  Queen  Anne,  and  the  stately  ruff 
of  Elizabeth  of  England. 

In  this  connection  may  be  mentioned  the  44  bonnet  piece”  of 
Scotland,  a coin  of  the  reign  of  James  VI.,  which  is  extremely 
rare,  one  of  them  having  been  sold  for  <£41.  The  coin  received 
its  name  from  a representation  of  the  king  upon  it,  with  a 
curiously  plaited  hat  or  bonnet  which  this  monarch  wore,  a 
fashion  that  gave  occasion  for  the  ballad,  44  Blue  Bonnets  over 
the  Border.” 

Heraldic  Emblems 

Are  faithfully  preserved  through  this  medium ; in  truth, 
medalic  honors  may  be  claimed  as  the  very  foundation  of 
heraldic  art.  We  discover  medals  perpetuating  revolutions, 
sieges,  plots,  and  murders,  etc.  We  prefer  directing  attention 
to  the  fact  that  coins  and  medals  are  not  only  the  land -marks 
of  history,  but  a favorite  medium  of  the  poetry  of  all  nations. 
Epics  are  thus  preserved  by  the  graver’s  art  in  exceedingly 
small  space.  Poets  turn  with  confidence  to  old  coins  for  symbol 
as  well  as  fact. 

One  of  the  most  graceful  historical  allusions  is  conveyed  in 
the  great  seal  of  Queen  Anne,  after  the  union  of  Scotland  with 
England.  A rose  and  a thistle  are  growing  on  one  stem,  while, 
from  above,  the  crown  of  England  sheds  effulgence  upon  the 
tender  young  plant. 

Humor  Pictured  on  Medals. 

The  medal  of  George  I.,  on  the  reverse,  boastfully  presents 
44  the  horse  of  Brunswick”  flying  over  the  northwest  of  Europe, 
symbolizing  the  Hanoverian  succession.  The  overthrow  of  the 
44  Invincible  Armada”  was  the  occasion  of  a Dutch  medal, 
showing  the  Hollanders  richer  in  faith  than  in  art  culture,  for 
the  obverse  of  this  medal  presents  the  church  upon  a rock,  in 
mid-ocean,  while  the  reverse  suggests  the  thought  that  the 
luckless  Spanish  mariner  was  driving  against  the  walls  of  the 
actual  building. 

Architecture  indebted  to  Coins. 

Architecture  is  largely  indebted  to  coins,  medals,  and  seals 
for  accuracy  and  data.  We  learn  from  the  medal  of  Septimus 


€ 


INTRODUCTION. 


Severus  the  faultless  beauty  of  the  triumphal  arch  erected  U 
celebrate  his  victory  over  Arabs  and  Parthians.  This  medal 
was  produced  two  centuries  before  the  Christian  era,  and  is  a 
marvel  of  art,  for  its  perspective  is  wrought  in  bas-relief — an 
achievement  which  was  not  again  attained  before  the  execution 
of  the  celebrated  Bronze  Gates  by  Ghiberti,  for  the  Baptistery 
at  Florence,  A.  D.  1425.  This  exhumed  arch  was  excavated 
long  after  its  form  and  structure  were  familiar  to  men  of  letter/" 
through  the  medals. 

Language  upon  Coins  and  Medals. 

The  effect  of  coin  on  language  is  direct,  and  many  words 
may  be  found  whose  origin  was  a coin,  such  as  Daric,  a pure 
gold  coin ; Talent,  mental  ability ; Sterling,  genuine,  pure ; 
while  Guinea  represents  the  aristocratic  element,  and,  though 
out  of  circulation  long  ago,  “ no  one  who  pretends  to  gentility 
in  England  would  think  of  subscribing  to  any  charity  or  fash- 
ionable object  by  contributing  the  vulgar  pound.  An  extra, 
shilling  added  to  the  pound  makes  the  guinea , and  lifts  the- 
subscriber  at  once  into  the  aristocratic  world.” 

Copper  is  much  preferred  to  gold  for  medals.  Its  firm,  un- 
changing surface  accepts  and  retains  finer  lines  than  have  yet 
been  produced  upon  gold  and  silver,  and  it  offers  no  temptation 
to  be  thrown  into  the  crucible.* 

In  the  preparation  of  this  work,  I am  much  indebted  to 
Honorable  E.  O.  Leech,  Director  of  the  United  States  Mint; 
also,  to  the  late  R.  Coulton  Davis,  Ph.  G.,  and  to  E.  Locko 
Mason,  acknowledged  authorities  on  the  subject  of  numismatics. 

If  it  shall  be  found  useful  to  the  public,  and  especially  to 
visitors  of  the  Mint,  it  will  be  a source  of  satisfaction,  and 
more  than  repay  the  labor  bestowed  in  its  preparation. 

G.  G.  E. 

Philadelphia , March  i,  1892. 


* Collectors  estimate  the  loss  to  numismatography  as  very  great  by  reason  of  the  temp- 
tation ihe  gold  possesses  for  hoarding,  and  they  are  possibly  the  only  class  of  people  whc* 
have  any  apology  to  offer  for  the  miser.  Yet  the  world  is  debtor  to  this  despised  habit, 
for  some  of  its  most  invaluable  specimens  of  art,  and  important  corroborative  history 
of  the  old  world. 


ROBERT  MORRIS. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 




The  subject  of  a National  Mint  for  the  United  States  was 
first  introduced  by  Robert  Morris,*  the  patriot  and  financier 
of  the  revolution;  as  head  of  the  Finance  Department,  Mr, 
Morris  was  instructed  by  Congress  to  prepare  a report  on  the 
foreign  coins,  then  in  circulation  in  the  United  States.  On  the 
15th  of  January,  1782,  he  laid  before  Congress  an  exposition  of 
the  whole  subject.  Accompanying  this  report  was  a plan  for 
American  coinage.  But  it  was  mainly  through  his  efforts,  in 
connection  with  Thomas  Jefferson  and  Alexander  Hamilton,, 
that  a mint  was  established  in  the  early  history  of  the  Union 
of  the  States.  On  the  15th  of  April,  1790,  Congress  in- 
structed the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Alexander  Hamilton, 
to  prepare  and  report  a proper  plan  for  the  establishment  of  a 
National  Mint,  and  Mr.  Hamilton  presented  his  report  at  the 
next  session.  An  act  was  framed  establishing  the  mint,  which 
finally  passed  both  Houses  and  received  President  Washington’s 
approval  April  2,  1792.f 

NOTES  ON  THE  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  THE  MINT. 

From  Robert  Morris’s  Diary. 

1781.  July  16th.  Wrote  to  Mr.  Dndlev  at  Boston  inviting  him  hither 
in  consequence  of  the  Continental  Agent  Mr.  Bradford’s  Letter  respecting 
him  referred  to  me  by  Congress. 

July  17th.  Wrote  Mr.  Bradford  respecting  Mr.  Dudley. 

Nov.  10th.  Ordered  some  money  on  application  of  Mr.  Dudley  to  pay 
his  expences. 

Nov.  12th.  Sent  for  Mr  Dudley  to  consult  him  respecting  the  quantity 
of  Alloy  Silver  will  bear  without  being  discoloured,  he  says  he  can  put  6 
drops  into  an  ounce.  Desired  him  to  assay  some  Spanish  Dollars  and 
French  Crowns,  in  order  to  know  the  quantity  of  pure  Silver  in  each. 

Nov.  16th.  Mr.  Dudley  assayed  a number  of  Crowns  and  dollars  for  our 
information  respecting  the  Mint. 

1782.  Jan.  2d.  Mr.  Benjamin  Dudley  applied  for  money  to  pay  his 
Board  which  I directed  to  be  paid  by  Mr.  Swanwick,  this  gentleman  is  de- 
tained at  the  public  expence  as  a person  absolutely  necessary  in  the  Mint, 
which  I hope  soon  to  see  established  My  propositions  on  that  subject  are 
to  be  submitted  to  Congress  so  soon  as  I can  get  the  proper  assays  made  on 
Silver  coins  &c. 


* Robert  Morris  was  bora  in  England,  and  came  to  America  when  he  was  thirteea 
years  old,  (Sparks’  life  of  Governeur  Morris.) 

f During  the  Confederation  the  different  States  had  the  unquestioned  right  to  coin 
money,  but  only  according  to  the  standard  of  fineness,  weight,  and  value,  prescribed, 
by  the  central  government. 


8 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Jan.  7th.  Mr.  Dudley  applies  about  getting  his  wife  from  England.  I 
promised  him  every  assistance  in  my  power.* 

Jan.  18th.  I went  to  Mr.  Gouvr  Morris’s  Lodging  to  examine  the  plan 
we  had  agreed  on,  and  which  we  had  drawn  up  respecting  the  Establish- 
ment of  a Mint,  we  made  some  alterations  and  amendments  to  my  satisfac- 
tion and  from  a belief  that  this  is  a necessary  and  salutary  measure.  I 
have  ordered  it  copied  to  be  sent  into  Congress. 

Jan.  26th.  Mr.  Dudley  applied  for  money  to  pay  his  Lodgings  &c.  I 
ordered  Mr.  Swanwick  to  supply  him  with  fifty  dollars,  informed  him  that 
the  Plan  of  a Mint  is  before  Congress,  and  when  passed,  that  he  shall  be 
directly  employed,  if  not  agreed  to  by  Congress,  I shall  compensate  him 
for  his  time  &c. 

Feb.  26th.  Mr.  Benjamin  Dudley  brought  me  the  rough  drafts  or  plan 
for  the  rooms  of  a Mint  &c.  I desired  him  to  go  to  Mr.  Whitehead  Hum- 
phreys to  consult  him  about  Screws,  Smith  work  &c.  that  will  be  wanted  for 
the  Mint,  and  to  bring  me  a list  thereof  with  an  estimate  of  the  Cost. 

Feb  28th.  Mr.  Dudley  informs  me  that  a Mr.  Wheeler,  a Smith  in  the 
Country,  can  make  the  Screws,  Rollers  &c.  for  the  Mint.  Mr.  Dudley  pro- 
poses the  Dutch  Church,  that  which  is  now  unoccupied,  as  a place  suitable 
for  the  Mint,  I sent  him  to  view  it,  & he  returns  satisfied  that  it  will  answer, 
wherefore  I must  enquire  about  it. 

March  22d.  Mr.  Dudley  and  Mr.  Wheeler  came  and  brought  with  them 
some  Models  of  the  Screws  and  Rollers  necessary  for  the  Mint.  I found 
Mr.  Wheeler  entertained  some  doubts  respecting  one  of  these  Machines 
which  Mr.  Dudley  insists  will  answer  the  purposes  and  says  he  will  be 
responsible  for  it.  I agreed  with  Mr.  Wheeler  that  he  should  perform  the 
work ; and,  as  neither  he  or  I could  judge  of  the  value  that  ought  to  be 
paid  for  it,  he  is  to  perform  the  same  agreeable  to  Mr.  Dudley’s  directions, 
and  when  finished,  we  are  to  have  it  valued  by  some  Honest  Man,  judges 
of  such  work,  he  mentioned  Philip  Syng,  Edwd.  Duflield,  William  Rush 

and all  of  whom  I believe  are  good  judges  and  very  honest  men, 

therefore  I readily  agreed  to  this  proposition.  And  I desired  Mr.  Dudley 
to  consult  Mr.  Rittenhouse  and  Francis  Hopkinson  Esquire,  as  to  the 
Machine  or  Wheel  in  dispute,  and  let  me  have  their  opinion. 

March  23d.  Mr.  Dudley  called  to  inform  me  that  Mr.  Rittenhouse  & 
Mr.  Hopkinson  agree  to  his  plan  of  the  Machine  &c. 

April  12th.  Mr.  Dudley  wants  a horse  to  go  up  to  Mr.  Wheelers  &c. 


* The  following,  from  the  Morris  Papers,  serve  to  illustrate  this  subject : 


1.— Robt.  Morris  to  Richard  Yates. 


Phil  ad’ a,  Jan.  23, 1782. 


“Sir, 

“At  the  request  of  a very  honest  Man  who  seems  much  distressed  for  the  welfare  of 
“his  wife,  now  in  London,  I beg  to  trouble  you  with  the  enclosed  Letter,  praying  that 
“you  will  forward  it,  and  if  in  consequence  thereof  Mrs.  Dudley  should  come  to  New 
“York,  I beg  of  you  to  procure  Liberty  for  her  to  come  to  her  Husband  at  this  place. 
“The  money  for  her  Passage  and  reasonable  expenses  in  New  York,  which  must  be 
“reasonable  as  possible,  she  may  draw  upon  her  Husband,  Mr.  Benjamin  Dudley,  and 
“ I engage  that  the  Draft  shall  be  pam.  I shall  thank  you  for  your  attention  to  this 
“ poor  Lady  when  she  arrives,  and  remain  Sir, 

“ your  most  obedient  and 
“ humble  servant 

“Robert  Morris.” 


“ 2. — Robt.  Morris  to  the  Commissary  General  of  Prisoners. 

“ Philad’a,  Jan.  23,  1782. 

“ Sir, 

“I  send  herewith  an  open  letter  for  Mr.  Richard  Yates  containing  one  for  Mrs.  Dud> 
“ ley  in  London,  from  her  Husband  now  here.  I wish  these  may  be  safely  delivered  ta 
“ Mr.  Yates,  and  therefore  pray  you  to  send  them  into  New  York,  by  some  person  that 
“ will  not  only  promise,  but  perform  the  delivery  of  them.  I am  Sir, 

“ your  most  obedient  and 
“ humble  servant 

“Robert  Morris.” 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


9 


May  20lh.  Mr.  Dudley  wrote  me  a Letter  this  day  and  wanted  money. 
I directed  Mr.  Swanwick  to  supply  him,  and  then  disired  him  to  view  the 
Mason’s  Lodge  to  see  if  it  would  Answer  for  a Mint,  which  he  thinks  it 
will,  I desired  him  to  go  up  to  Mr.  Wheelers  to  see  how  he  goes  on  with 
the  Hollers  &c. 

June  17th.  Mr.  Dudley  applied  for  money  to  pay  his  Bill.  I directed 
Mr.  Swanwick  to  supply  him. 

June  18th.  Issued  a warrant  in  favor  of  B.  Dudley  £7.11.6. 

July  15th.  Mr.  B.  Dudley  applied  for  money,  he  is  very  uneasy  for  want 
■of  employment,  and  the  Mint  in  which  he  is  to  be  employed  and  for 
which  I have  engaged  him,  goes  on  so  slowly  that  I am  also  uneasy  at 
having  this  gentleman  on  pay  and  no  work  for  him.  He  offered  to  go  and 
assist  Mr.  Byers  to  establish  the  Brass  Cannon  Foundry  at  Springfield.  I 
advised  to  make  that  proposal  to  Genl.  Lincoln  and  inform  me  the  result 
to-morrow* * 

July  16th.  Mr.  B.  Dudley  to  whom  I gave  an  order  on  Mr.  Swanwick 
for  fifty  dollars,  and  desired  him  to  seek  after  Mr.  Wheeler  to  know  whether 
the  Boilers.  &c.  are  ready  for  him  to  go  to  work  on  rolling  the  copper  for 
the  Mint. 

August  22d.  Mr.  Sami.  Wheeler  who  made  the  Boilers  for  the  Mint, 
applies  for  money.  I had  a good  deal  of  conversation  with  this  ingenious 
.gentleman. 

August  26th.  Mr.  Dudley  called  and  pressed  very  much  to  be  set  at  work. 

Sept  3d.  Mr.  B.  Dudley  applied  for  a passage  for  his  Friend  Mr. 
Sprague,  pr.  the  Washington  to  France  & for  Mrs.  Dudley  back.  Mr. 
Wheeler  applied  for  money  which  I promised  in  a short  time. 

Sept.  4th.  Mr.  Wheeler  lor  money.  I desired  him  to  leave  his  claim 
with  Mr.  McCall  Secretary  in  this  office,  and  I will  enable  the  discharge 
of  his  notes  in  the  Bank  when  due. 

Novr.  8th.  Mr.  Dudley  applies  for  the  amount  of  his  Bill  for  Lodgings 
and  Diet  &c.  and  I directed  Mr.  Swanwick  to  pay  him,  but  am  very  uneasy 
that  the  Mint  is  not  going  on. 

Dec.  23d.  Mr.  Dudley  and  Mr.  Wilcox  brought  the  subsistence  paper, 
end  I desired  Mr.  Dudley  to  deliver  4000  sheets  to  Hall  and  Sellers.f 


* This  letter  will  illustrate  this  subject : 

Robert  Morris  to  the  Rev.  William  Gordon,  D.  D. 

[From  the  Morris  Papers.] 

-‘Sir,  “Philad’a  25th  July,  1782. 

“ In  consequence  of  your  Letter  of  the  nineteenth  of  June,  I sent  for  Mr.  Dudley, 
■“  told  him  the  information  you  had  so  kindly  given  to  me,  and  assured  him  of  my  desire 
‘•to  make  him#easy  and  happy.  The  business  in  which  he  is  intended  to  be  employed, 
“‘is  like  many* other  important  matters,  retarded  by  the  tediousness  of  the  States  in 
“supplying  the  Continental  Treasury. 

“ The  Hon’ble  Secretary  at  War  has  commenced  a correspondence  with  General  Gates 
■“  at  my  request,  which  I think,  will  produce  what  he  wishes.  Be  assured  that  I take 
“ particular  pleasure  in  promoting  the  interest  and  happiness  of  worthy  men,  and  that 

1 am  with  great  esteem  Sir, 

“ your  most  obedient 

* “ and  humble  Servant, 

“Robert  Morris.” 

f This  letter  will  illustrate  this  matter : 

Robert  Morris  to  Benjamin  Dudley. 

[From  the  Morris  Papers.] 

Sir,  “ Office  of  Finance,  29  Novr.,  1782. 

“You  will  herewith  receive  the  Form  for  making  a particular  kind  of  Paper — You 
“ are  to  proceed  to  the  Paper  Mill  of  Mr.  Mark  Wilcox,  in  Ash  Town  Chester  County, 
“ who  has  the  Stuff  prepared,  and  there  to  superintend  the  making  of  sundry  reams  of 
“ Paper  upon  this  Form — in  doing  of  which  you  are  to  be  particularly  careful  not  to 
■“  leave  it  in  the  power  of  any  person  or  persons  to  make  any  paper  upon  this  Form 
“without  your  immediate  Inspection. 

“You  are  to  attend  the  Workmen  constantly  whilst  they  are  at  work,  and  when  you 
v retire  from  the  Mill  upon  any  occasion  you  are  to  take  the  Form  with  you.  You  are 

to  count  the  Paper  as  it  is  made  sheet  by  sheet  and  when  you  have  finished  the  whole, 
'‘you  are  to  bring  it  to  me  together  with  'the  Form.  I am  Sir, 

“ Your  most  obedient  servant, 

“Robert  Morris." 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


10 


Deer.  26th.  Mr.  Hall  the  printer  brought  100  Sheets  of  the  subsistence 
notes  this  day.  and  desired  that  more  paper  might  be  sent  to  his  Printing 
Office,  accordingly  I sent  for  Mr.  Dudley  and  desired  him  to  deliver  the 
same  from  time  to  time,  until  the  whole  shall  amount  to  4000  Sheets. 

1783.  April  2d.  I sent  for  Mr.  Dudley  who  delivered,  me  a piece  of 
Silver  Coin,  being  the  first  that  has  been  struck  as  an  American  Coin. 

April  16th.  Sent  for  Mr.  Dudley  and  urged  him  to  produce  the  Coina 
to  lay  before  Congress  to  establish  a Mint. 

April  17th.  Sent  for  Mr.  Dudley  to  urge  the  preparing  of  Coins  &c  for 
Establishing  a Mint. 

April  22d.  Mr.  Dudley  sent  in  several  Pieces  of  Money  as  patterns  of 
the  intended  American  Coins. 

May  6th.  Sent  for  Mr.  Dudley  and  desired  him  to  go  down  to  Mr.  Mark 
Wilcox’s,  to  see  15,000  Sheets  of  paper  made  fit  to  print  my  Notes  on. 

May  7th.  This  day  delivered  Mr.  Dudley  the  paper  Mold  for  making 
paper,  mark’d  United  States,  and  dispatched  him  to  Mr.  Wilcok’s,  but  was 
obliged  to  advance  him  20  dollars. 

May  27th.  I sent  for  Mr.  Dudley  to  know  if  he  has  compleated  the  paper 
at  Mr.  Wilcock’s  paper  mill  for  the  Certificates  intended  for  the  pay  of  the 
Army.  He  says  it  is  made,  but  not  yet  sufficiently  dry  for  the  printers  use.. 
I desired  him  to  repair  down  to  the  Mill  and  bring  it  up  as  soon  as  possible. 

May  28th.  Mr.  Whitehead  Humphreys  to  offer  his  lot  and  buildings  for 
erecting  a Mint. 

July  5th.  Mr.  Benjn.  Dudley  gave  notice  that  he  has  received  back 
from  Messrs.  Hall  and  Sellers  the  Printers,  three  thousand  sheets  of  the 
last  paper  made  by  Mr.  Wilcocks.  I desired  him  to  bring  it  to  this  office. 
He  also  informs  of  a Minting  Press  being  in  New  York  for  sale,  and  urges- 
me  to  purchase  it  for  the  use  of  the  American  Mint. 

July  7th.  Mr.  Dudley  respecting  the  Minting  Press,  but  I had  not 
time  to  see  him. 

August  19th.  I sent  for  Mr.  Benjamin  Dudley,  and  informed  him  of 
my  doubts  about  the  establishment  of  a Mint,  and  desired  him  to  think  of 
some  employment  in  private  service,  in  which  I am  willing  to  assist  him 
all  in  my  power.  I told  him  to  make  out  an  account  for  the  services  h» 
had  performed  for  the  public,  and  submit  at  the  Treasury  office  for  inspec- 
tion and  settlement. 

August  30th.  Mr.  Dudley  brought  the  dies  for  Coining  in  the  American 
Mint. 

Sept.  3d.  Mr.  Dudley  applies  for  money  for  his  expenses  which  I agree 
to  supply,  but  urge  his  going  into  private  business. 

Sept.  4th.  Mr.  Dudley  for  money,  which  is  granted.  Directed  him  to 
make  three  models  for  constructing  Dry 

Nov.  21st.  Mr.  Dudley  applies  for  money.  He  says  he  was  at  half  a 
guinea  a week  and  his  expenses  borne  when  he  left  Boston  to  come  about  the 
Mint,  and  he  thinks  the  public  ought  to  make  that  good  to  him.  I desired 
him  to  write  me  and  I will  state  his  claims  to  Congress. 

Nov.  26th.  Mr.  Dudley  for  money,  which  was  granted. 

Dec.  17th.  Mr.  Dudley  with  his  account  for  final  settlement.  I re- 
ferred him  to  Mr.  Milligan. 

1784.  Jan.  5th.  Mr.  Dudley  applies  for  a Certificate  of  the  Time 
which  he  was  detained  in  the  public  service.  I granted  him  one  ac- 
cordingly. 

Jan.  7th.  Mr.  Dudley  after  the  settlement  of  his  account,  which  I com- 
pleted by  signing  a warrant. 


[Fac  simile  of  original,  photo-engraved  by  Levytvpe  Company.j 


Congrefs  of  the  United  States: 

AT  THE  THIRD  SESSION, 

Begun  and  held  at  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  on 
Monday  the  hxth  of  December,  one  thou- 
fand  leven  hundred  and  ninety. 


RESOLVED  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 
' the  United  States  of  America  in  Congrefs  affembled ? That  a mint 
fhali  be  eltablifhed  under  fuch  regulations  as  ihallbe  dire&edby  law. 

Refolded,  That  the  Prefid ent  of  the  United  States  be,  and  he  is 
hereby  authorized  to  caufe  to  be  engaged,  fuch  principal  artifts  as 
(hall  be  neceflary  to  carry  the  preceeding  refolution  into  effed,  and  to 
ftipulate  the  terms  and  conditions  of  their  fervice,  and  alfo  to  caufe  to 
be  procured  fuch  apparatus  as  ihallbe  requifite  for  the  fame  purpofe. 

FREDERICK  AUGUSTUS  MUHLENBERG, 

Speaker  of  the  Hoife  of  Reprefent at  vves. 

JOHN  ADAMS,  Vice-Freftdent  of  the  United  States* 
and  Frefident  of  the  Senate . 

Approved,  March  the  third,  1791. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  Frefident  of  the  United  States* 


Deposited  among  the  Rolls  in  the  Office  of  the  Secretary 
of  State. 


^/ecteiaa^  of  if fate* 


12 


ILLUfTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Thefolloiving  is  a copy  of  an  old  pay  roll , framed  and  langirjg  vpon  the  vnM  <ttf 

the  Cabinet . 


-Names  and  Salaries  of  the  Officers,  Clerks,  and  Workmen 
Employed  at  the  Mint  the  10th  October,  1795. 


Henry  Wm.  DeSaussure,  D ii-eoto^..., 2,000  Drs.  per  Ann 

Nicholas  Way,  Treasurer 1,200  “ “ 

Henry  Voigt,  Chief  Coiner, 1,500  “ “ 

Albion  Cox,  Assayer 1,500  “ u 

Robert  Scott,  Engra ,ver 1,200  “ u 

David  Ott,  Melter  and.  Refiner  pro  tem 1,200  “ u 

Nathaniel  Tliomat,  Clerk  to  the  Treasurer 700  “ “ 

Isaac  Hough,  ditto  to  Director  and  Assayer... 500  “ u 

Lodewyk  Sna^-p,  ditto  to  Chief  Coiner 500  “ a 

John  3.  Gardiner,  Assistant  Engraver... 936  “ c 

Aasuo.  Eckfeldt,  Die  Forger  and  Turner 500  “ 


Workmen  Employed  in  Chief  Coiner’s  Department. 

Wages  per  day.  Doll  ors 


Vohn  Schreiner,  Chief  Pressman 1 80 

John  Cope,  Chief  Adjuster 1 60 

William  Hayley,  Roller 1 40 

Nicholas  Sinderling,  Annealer 1 40 

John  Ward,  Miller 1 20 

Joseph  Germon,  Drawer , 1 20 

Lewis  Laurenger,  Brasher 1 20 

Henry  Voigt,  Junr,  Adjuster 88 

Sarah  Waldrake,  ditto 50 

Rachael  Summers,  ditto 50 

Lewis  Bitting,  ditto 1 20 

Lawrence  Ford,  ditto 1 20 

Christopher  Baum,  Pressman 1 

John  Keyser,  ditto 1 

Frederick  Bauck,  ditto 1 

Barney  Miers,  Cleaner 1 

Martin  Summers,  Doorkeeper 1 

Adam  Seyfert,  Hostler 1 

John  Bay,  Boy 66 


Workmen  Employed  at  the  Furnace  of  the  Mint. 

Peter  LaChase,  Melter 

George  Myers,  ditto 

Eberliart  Klumback,  ditto 

Patrick  Ryan,  Filer 

Valentine  Flegler,  Labourer 

Andrew  Brunet,  ditto 

William  Ryan,  ditto 


1 60 
1 50 
1 40 
1 25 
1 25 
1 
1 


Endorsed  in  two  places,  “Names  and  Salaries  of  the  Officers,  Clerks  and 
Workmen  employed  in  the  Mint  the  10th  Oct.  1795.” 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT, 


13 


THE  PHILADELPHIA  MINT. 


The  popular  estimation  in  which  the  Mint  is  held  in  the 
United  States,  is,  for  obvious  reasons,  more  distinctively 
marked  than  that  entertained  for  other  public  institutions. 
Its  position,  in  a financial  point  of  view,  is  so  important,  its  use 
so  apparent,  and  its  integrity  of  management  so  generally  con- 
ceded, that  it  enjoys  a pre-eminence  and  dignity  beyond  that 
accorded  to  general  governmental  departments.  Party  muta- 


THE  FIRST  MINT  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES,  ERECTED  IN  1792. 

cions  usually  effect  changes  in  its  directorship,  with  but  slight 
interference,  however,  with  the  other  officials,  as  those  of  at- 
tainments, skill,  and  long  experience  in  the  professional 
branches,  required  to  intelligently  perform  the  various  duties 
assigned,  are  few  in  all  countries.  Those  occupying  positions 
are  chosen  for  their  proficiency  in  the  various  departments, 
their  characters  being  always  above  question.  The  confidence 
reposed  in  the  officials  of  the  United  States  Mint  has  never 
be^*’  riolated,  as,  for  nearly  a century  of  its  operations,  n© 


14 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


shadow  of  suspicion  has  marred  the  fair  name  of  any  identified 
with  its  history. 

The  need  of  a mint  in  the  Colonies  was  keenly  felt  to  be  a 
serious  grievance  against  England  for  years  before  the  Revolu- 
tion, and  as  soon  as  practicable  after  the  establishment  of  Inde- 
pendence, the  United  States  Mint  was  authorized  by  an  Act 
f Congress— April  2,  1792, 

A lot  of  ground  was  purchased  on  Seventh  Street  near 
^rch,  and  appropriations  were  made  for  erecting  the  requisite 
buildings.  An  old  still-house,  which  stood  on  the  lot,  had 
first  to  be  removed.  In  an  account  book  of  that  time  we  find 
an  entry  on  the  31st  of  July,  1792,  of  the  sale  of  some  old 
materials  of  the  still-house  for  seven  shillings  and  sixpence, 
which  u Mr.  Rittenhouse  directed  should  be  laid  out  for  punch 
in  laying  the  foundation  stone.”  * 

The  first  building  erected  in  the  United  States  for  public 
use,  under  the  authority  of  the  Federal  Government,  was  a 
structure  for  the  United  States  Mint.  This  was  a plain  brick 
edifice,  on  the  east  side  of  Seventh  street,  near  Arch,  the 
corner-stone  of  which  was  laid  by  David  Rittenhouse,  Director 
of  the  Mint,  on  July  31,  1792.  In  the  following  October 
operations  of  coining  commenced.  It  was  occupied  for  about 
forty  years.  On  the  19th  of  May,  1829,  an  Act  was  passed  by 
Congress  locating  the  United  States  Mint  on  its  present  site. 

The  first  coinage  of  the  United  States,  was  silver  half-dim eS 
in  October,  1792,  of  which  Washington  makes  mention  in  his 
address  to  Congress,  on  November  6,  1792,  as  follows : “ There 
has  been  a small  beginning  in  the  coinage  of  half-dimes ; the 
want  of  small  coins  in  circulation,  calling  the  first  attention  to 
them.”  The  first  metal  purchased  for  coinage  was  six  pounds 
of  old  copper  at  one  shilling  and  three  pence  per  pound,  which 
was  coined  and  delivered  to  the  Treasurer,  in  1793.  The  first 
deposit  of  silver  bullion  was  made  on  July  18, 1794,  by  the  Bank 
of  Maryland.  It  consisted  of  “ coins  of  France,”  amounting 
to  $80,715.73J.  The  first  returns  of  silver  coins  to  the  Treas- 
urer, was  made  on  October  15,  1794.  The  first  deposit  of  gold 
bullion  for  coinage,  was  made  by  Moses  Brown,  merchant,  of 
Boston,  on  February  12,  1795;  it  was  of  gold  ingots,  worth 
$2,276.72,  which  was  paid  for  in  silver  coins. 

The  first  return  of  gold  coinage,  was  on  July  31,  1795,  and 
consisted  of  744  half  eagles.  The  first  delivery  of  eagles  was 
in  September  22,  same  year,  and  consisted  of  four  hundred 
pieces. 

*The  building  is  still  standing  (March,  1892)  Nos.  37  and  39  North  Seventh  street,  and 
is  occupied  for  various  purposes. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


15 


Previous  to  the  coinage  of  silver  dollars,  at  the  Philadelphia 

[int,  in  1794,  the  following  amusing  incidents  occurred  in 
/ongress,  while  the  emblems  and  devices  proposed  for  the 
reverse  field  of  that  coin  were  being  discussed. 

A member  of  the  House  from  the  South  bitterly  opposed 
the  choice  of  the  eagle,  on  the  ground  of  its  being  the  “king 
of  birds,”  and  hence  neither  proper  nor  suitable  to  represent 
a nation  whose  institutions  and  interests  were  wholly  inimical 
to  monarchical  forms  of  government.  Judge  Thatcher  play- 
fully, in  reply,  suggested  that  perhaps  a goose  might  suit  the 
gentleman,  as  it  was  a rather  humble  and  republican  bird,  and 
would  also  be  serviceable  in  other  respects,  as  the  goslings 
would  answer  to  place  upon  the  dimes.  This  answer  created 
•considerable  merriment,  and  the  irate  Southerner,  conceiving 
the  humorous  rejoinder  as  an  insult,  sent  a challenge  to  the 
Judge,  who  promptly  declined  it.  The  bearer,  rather  as- 
tonished, asked,  “Will  you  be  branded  as  a coward?”  “Cer- 
tainly, if  he  pleases,”  replied  Thatcher;  “I  always  was  one 
and  he  knew  it,  or  he  would  never  have  risked  a challenge.” 
The  affair  occasioned  much  mirth,  and,  in  due  time,  former  exist- 
ing cordial  relations  were  restored  between  the  parties;  the 
irritable  Southerner  concluding  there  was  nothing  to  be  gained 
in  fighting  with  one  who  fired  nothing  but  jokes. 

EXTRACT  FROM  THE  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  ADOPTED 
FOR  THE  MINT,  JANUARY  1,  1825. 

The  operations  of  the  Mint  throughout  the  year,  are  to  commence  at  5 
o’clock  in  the  morning,  under  the  superintendence  of  an  officer,  and  con- 
tinue until  4 o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  except  on  Saturdays,  when  the  busi- 
ness of  the  day  will  close  at  2 o’clock,  unless  on  special  occasions  it  may 
Ue  otherwise  directed,  by  an  officer.  Extra  work  will  be  paid  for  in  pro- 
portion, on  a statement  being  made  of  it  through  the  proper  officer,  at  the 
end  of  each  month.  A strict  account  is  to  be  kept  by  one  of  the  officers, 
as  they  may  agree  of  the  absentees  from  duty,  if  the  absence  be  voluntary, 
the  full  wages  for  the  time  will  be  deducted,  if  it  arise  from  sickness  a 
deduction  will  be  made  at  the  discretion  of  the  proper  officer.  A state- 
men!  of  these  deductions  will  be  rendered  at  the  end  of  the  month,  and 
the  several  accounts  made  out  accordingly. 

The  allowance  under  the  name  of  drink  money  is  hereafter  to  be  discon- 
tinued, and  in  place  of  it  three  dollars  extra  wages  per  month  will  be  allowed 
for  the  three  summer  months  to  those  workmen  who  continue  in  the  Mint 
through  that  season.  No  workman  can  be  permitted  to  bring  spirituous 
liquors  into  the  Mint.  Any  workman  who  shall  be  found  intoxicated 
within  the  Mint  must  be  reported  to  the  Director,  in  order  that  he  may  be 
discharged.  No  profane  or  indecent  language  can  be  tolerated  in  the 
Mint.  Smoking  within  the  Mint  is  inadmissible.  The  practice  is  of  dan- 
gerous tendency ; experience  proves  that  this  indulgence  in  public  institu- 
tions, ends  at  last  in  disaster.  Visitors  may  be  admitted  by  permission  of 
an  officer,  to  see  the  various  operations  of  the  Mint  on  all  working  days 
except  Saturdays  and  rainy  days;  they  are  to  be  attended  by  an  officer,  or 
aome  person  designated  by  him.  The  new  coins  must  not  be  given  in 


16 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


exchange  for  others  to  accommodate  visitors,  without  the  consent  of  th<&- 
Chief  Coiner.  Christmas  day  and  the  Fourth  of  July,  and  no  other  days* 
are  established  holidays  at  the  Mint.  The  pres&men  will  carefully  lock 
the  several  coining  presses  when  the  work  for  the  day  is  finished,  and 
leave  the  keys  in  such  places  as  the  Chief  Coiner  shall  designate.  When, 
light  is  necessary  to  be  carried  from  one  part  of  the  Mint  to  the  other,  the 
watchman  will  use  a dark  lanthorn  but  not  an  open  candle.  He  will  keep 
in  a proper  arm  chest  securely  locked,  a musket  and  bayonet,  two  pistols 
and  a sword.  The  arms  are  to  be  kept  in  perfect  order  and  to  be  inspected 
by  an  officer  once  a month,  when  the  arms  are  to  be  discharged  and 
charged  anew. 

The  watchman  of  the  Mint  must  attend  from  6 o’clock  in  the  evening  to- 
5 o’clock  in  the  morning,  and  until  relieved  by  the  permission  of  an  officer,, 
or  until  the  arrival  of  the  door-keeper,  tie  will  ring  the  yard  bell  pre- 
cisely every  hour  by  the  Mint  clock,  from  10  o’clock  until  relieved  by  the- 
door-keeper,  or  an  officer,  or  the  workmen  on  working  days,  and  will  send 
the  watch  dog  through  the  yard  immediately  after  ringing  the  bell.  He 
will  particularly  examine  the  departments  of  the  engine  and  all  the  rooms, 
where  fire  has  been  on  the  preceding  day,  conformably  to  his  secret 
instructions.  For  this  purpose  he  will  have  keys  of  access  to  such  rooma 
as  he  cannot  examine  without  entering  them. 

If  an  attempt  be  made  on  the  Mint  he  will  act  conformably  to  his  secret 
instructions  on  that  subject.  In  case  of  fire  occurring  in  or  near  the 
Mint,  he  will  ring  the  Alarm  Bell  if  one  has  been  provided,  or  sound  the 
alarm  with  his  rattle,  and  thus  as  soon  as  possible  bring  some  one  to  him, 
who  can  be  dispatched ' to  call  an  officer,  and  in  other  particulars  will 
follow  his  secret  instructions.  The  secret  instructions  given  him  from, 
time  to  time  he  must  be  careful  not  to  disclose.  The  delicate  trust  re- 


posed in  all  persons  employed  in  the  Mint,  presupposes  that  their  char- 
acter is  free  from  all  suspicion,  but  the  director  feels  it  his  duty  neverthe- 
less, in  order  that  none  may  plead  ignorance  on  the  subject,  to  warn  them, 
of  the  danger  of  violating  so  high  a trust.  Such  a crime  as  the  embezzle- 
ment of  any  of  the  coins  struck  at  the  Mint,  or  of  any  of  the  metals, 
brought  to  the  Mint  for  coinage,  would  be  punished  under  the  laws  of 
Pennsylvania,  by  a fine  and  penitentiary  imprisonment  at  hard  labor.. 
The  punishment  annexed  to  this  crime  by  the  laws  of  the  United  States, 
enacted  for  the  special  protection  of  deposits  made  at  the  Mint,  is  death. 
The  19th  Section  of  the  Act  of  Congress,  establishing  the  Mint,  passed 
April  12,  1792,  is  in  the  following  words:  Section  19,  and  be  it  further- 
enacted,  That  if  any  of  the  gold  or  silver  coins,  which  shall  be  struck  or 
coined  at  the  said  Mint,  shall  be  debased  or  made  worse  as  to  the  propor- 
tion of  fine  gold  or  fine  silver,  therein  contained,  or  shall  be  of  less  weight 
or  value  than  the  same  ought  to  be,  pursuant  to  the  directions  of  this  act, 
through  the  default  or  with  the  connivance  of  any  of  the  officers  or  per- 
sons who  shall  be  employed  at  said  Mint,  for  the  purpose  of  profit  or  gain, 
or  otherwise,  with  a fraudulent  intent,  and  if  any  of  the  said  officers  or 
persons  shall  embezzle  any  of  the  metal  which  shall  at  any  time  be  com- 
mitted to  their  charge,  for  the  purpose  of  being  coined,  or  any  of  the  coins- 
which  shall  be  struck  or  coined  at  the  said  Mint,  every  such  officer  or 
person  who  shall  commit  any  or  either  of  the  said  offences,,  shall  be 
deemed  guilty  of  Felony,  and  shall  suffer  death.  Printed  copies  of  the 
Buies  here  recited  are  to  be  kept  in  convenient  places  for  the  inspection  of 
the  workmen,  but  as  all  may  not  be  capable  of  reading  them,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  proper  officer  of  the  several  departments,  or  such  person 
as  he  may  appoint,  to  read  them  in  the  hearing  of  the  workmen,  at  least 
once  a year,  and  especially  to  *ead  them  to  every  person  newly  employed 
in  the  Mint. 

SAMUEL  MOORE, 

Director* 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


17 


Up  to  1836  the  work  at  the  Mint  was  done  entirely  by  hand 
or  horse  power.  In  that  year  steam  was  introduced.  At  dif- 
ferent periods  during  the  years  1797,  1798,  1799,  1802,  and 
1803,  the  operations  of  the  Mint  were  suspended  on  account 
of  the  prevalence  of  yellow  fever. 

“ Bond  of  Indemnity  or  Agreement  of  Operatives  to  return  to  the 
service  of  the  Mint.”  Dated  August,  1799. 

“ We,  the  subscribers,  do  hereby  promise  and  engage  to  return  to  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Mint  as  soon  as  the  same  shall  be  again  opened,  after  the  pre- 
vailing fever  is  over,  on  the  penalty  of  twenty  pounds.” 

“As  witness  our  hands  this  31st  day  of  August,  1799. 


“GEORGE  WATT’N, 
JOHN  COPE, 

LEWIS  BITTING, 

GEO.  BOEMING, 
JAMES  ANDERSON, 
JOHN  SCHREINER, 
JOHN  BIRNBAUM, 

The  above  are  the  signatures  of 
made  unruled  foolscap  paper. 


GEORGE  MYERS, 

CHARLES  BENJ.  K — . 

GEORGE  BAILY, 

JOHN  MANN, 

(In  German)  JOHANNES 

SAML.  THOMPSON, 

MARTIN  SUMMERS.” 

parties  agreeing,  written  on  old  hand- 


This  part  of  the  Mint  records,  which  has  been  framed  for  convenience 
and  protection.  It  hangs  in  the  Cabinet. 


The  Mint  Established. 

The  Mint  was  established  by  Act  of  Congress,  the  second  of 
Aprifi  1792,  and  a few.  half-dimes  were  issued  towards  the  close 
of  that  year.  The  general  operations  of  the  institution  com- 
menced in  17 93.  The  coinage  effected  from  the  commencement 
of  the  establishment  to  the  end  of  the  year  1800  may  be  stated 
in  round  numbers  at  $2,534,000 ; the  coinage  of  the  decade 
ending  1810  amounted  to  $6,971,000,  and  within  the  ten  years 
ending  with  1820 — $9,328,000.  The  amount  within  the  ten 
years  ending  with  1830  is  stated  at  $18,000,000,  and  the 
whole  coinage  from  the  commencement  of  the  institution  at 
$37,000,000.  On  the  second  of  March,  1829,  provisions  were 
made  by  Congress  for  extending  the  Mint  establishment,  the 
supply  "of  bullion  for  coinage  having  increased  beyond  the 
capacity  of  the  existing  accommodations.  The  Mint  edifice, 
erected  under  this  provision,  stands  on  a lot  purchased  for  the 
object  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Chestnut  and  Juniper  streets, 
fronting  150  feet  on  Chestnut  street  and  extending  204  feet  to 
Penn  Square,  (the  central  and  formerly  the  largest  public 
square  in  the  city).  The  corner-stone  of  the  new  edifice  was 
laid  on  the  fourth  of  July,  1829 ; the  building  is  of  marble  and 
of  the  Grecian  style  of  architecture,  the  roof  being  covered  with 
copper.  It  presents  on  Chestnut  street  and  Penn  Square  a 
from  of  123  feet,  each  front  being  ornamented  with  a portico 


18 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


of  60  feet,  containing  six  Ionic  columns.  In  the  centre  of  the 
structure  there  was  formerly  a court-yard  (now  built  up)  extend- 
ing 85  by  84  feet,  surrounded  by  a piazza  to  each  story,  afford- 
ing an  easy  access  to  all  parts  of  the  edifice.  Present  officers  of 
the  Mint : Col.  0.  C.  Bosbyshell,  Superintendent ; William  S. 
Steel,  Coiner;  Jacob  B.  Eckfeldt,  Assayer;  William  Mclntire, 
Assistant  Assayer ; David  K.  Tuttle,  Melter  and  Refiner ; N. 
B.  Boyd,  Assistant  Melter  and  Refiner ; Charles  E.  Barber, 
Engraver;  George  T.  Morgan  and  William  H.  Key,  Assistant 
Engravers ; George  W.  Brown,  Doorkeeper. 

On  July  4,  1829,  Samuel  Moore,  then  Director,  laid  the 
corner  stone  of  the  present  building,  located  at  the  northwest 
corner  of  Chestnut  and  Juniper  streets.  It  is  of  white  marble, 
and  of  the  Grecian  style  of  architecture,  and  was  finished,  and 
commenced  operations,  in  1838.  Subsequent  to  that  date 
necessary  changes  in  the  interior  arrangements,  to  accommodate 
the  increase  in  business,  have  been  introduced  at  various  times, 
and  it  was  made  more  secure  as  a depository  for  the  great 
amount  of  bullion  contained  within  its  vaults,  by  having  been 
rendered  fire-proof  in  1856. 

Copy  of  the  Paper  laid  in  the  Corner  Stone  of  the 
Mint,  July  4,  1829. 

This  corner  stone  of  the  Mint  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  laid  on  the  4th  day  of  July,  1829,  being  the  fifty- 
third  anniversary  of  our  independence,  in  the  presence  of  the 
Officers  thereof,  Members  of  Congress  of  the  adjacent  districts, 
architect,  and  artificers  employed  in  the  building,  and  a 
number  of  citizens  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  which  with  this  in- 
strument are  deposited  specimens  of  the  Coins  of  our  Country 
struck  in  the  present  year.  The  Mint  of  the  United  States 
commenced  operations  in  the  year  A.  D.,  1793,  increasing 
constantly  in  utility,  until  its  locality  and  convenience  required 
extension  and  enlargement,  which  was  ordered  by  the  passage 
of  a bill  appropriating  $ 120, 000  for  the  erection  of  new  and 
convenient  buildings,  to  accommodate  its  operations,  vesting 
the  disbursement  in  the  judgment  and  taste  of  the  Director  and 
President  of  the  United  States.  In  pursuance  of  the  above  bill, 
passed  during  the  Presidency  of  John  Quincy  Adams,  arrange- 
ments were  made  and  designs  adopted ; William  Strickland 
appointed  architect ; John  Struthers,  marble  mason ; Daniel 
Groves,  bricklayer ; Robert  O’Neil,  master  carpenter,  and  in 
the  first  year  of  the  Presidency  of  Andrew  Jackson,  this  cornel 
stone  was  placed  in  southeast  corner  of  the  edifice. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


19 


The  names  of  the  officers  of  the  Mint  of  the  United  States 
at  this  time,  are  as  follows : 

Doctor  Samuel  Moore,  Director, 

Adam  Eckfeldt,  Coiner, 

Joseph  Cloud,  Melter  and  Refiner, 

Joseph  Richardson,  Assayer, 

Doctor  James  Rush,  Treasurer, 

Wm.  Kneass,  Engraver, 

George  Ehrenzelder,  Clerk. 

Mint  of  the  United  Stated, 
Philadelphia , March  W,  1838. 
To  Hon.  Levi  Woodbury, 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

Sir I had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  asking  my 
attention  to  a resolution  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States,  passed  March  5,  1838,  as  follows : 

Extract  from  Resolution  of  Congress  relating  to  Mint. 

“ Resolved , That  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  report  to 
this  House  the  cost  of  erecting  the  principal  Mint  and  its 
branches,  including  buildings,  fixtures,  and  apparatus ; the 
salaries  and  expenses  of  the  different  officers;  the  amount  ex- 
pended in  the  purchase  of  bullion ; the  loss  arising  from  wast- 
age, and  all  other  expenses ; and  the  average  length  of  time  it 
requires  to  coin  at  the  principal  Mint  all  the  bullion  with  which 
it  can  be  furnished ; and  further,  what  amount  of  coin  has  been 
struck  at  the  several  branch  mints,  since  their  organization.” 

Mint  of  the  United  States,  Philadelphia. 

The  cost  of  the  edifice,  machinery,  and  fixtures,  was...  $173,390 


Ground,  enclosure,  paving,  etc 35,840 

Total  cost  of  buildings,  etc $209,230 


This  amount  does  not  include  expenditures  made  under  spe- 
cial appropriations  for  the  years  1836  and  1837,  for  milling 
and  coining  by  steam  powrer ; and  for  extensive  improvements 
in  the  assaying,  melting,  and  parting  rooms,  and  machine  shops, 
amounting  to  $28,270. 

It  may  be  proper  to  mention  that  the  Mint  building  is  on 
the  best  street  in  the  city,  is  of  large  dimensions,  with  the 
whole  exterior  of  marble,  and  two  Ionic  porticos ; and  that  the 
machinery  and  apparatus  are  of  the  best  construction.  The 
cost  must  therefore  be  considered  as  very  moderate.  The  new 
Mint  lately  erected  by  the  British  India  Government  at  Cal- 
cutta, cost  24  lacs  of  rupees,  or  about  $1,138,000. 


20 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


The  Director  receives  per  annum $3,500 

Treasurer 2,000 

Chief  Coiner.. 2,000 

Assay  er 2,000 

Melterand  Refiner 2,000 

Engraver 2,000 

Second  Engraver 1,500 

Assistant  Assay  er 1,300 

Treasurer's  Clerk 1,200 

Bookkeeper 1,000 

Clerk  of  the  weighing  room 1,200 

Director’s  Clerk 700 


Total  for  salaries $20,400 


No  expenses  are  allowed,  beyond  the  above  sums,  to  any 
officer,  assistant,  or  clerk,  for  the  performance  of  his  duties. 

As  all  the  gold  and  silver  brought  to  the  Mint  is  purchased 
at  the  nett  Mint  price,  there  is  no  expense,  properly  so  called^ 
incurred  on  this  account. 

R.  M.  PATTERSON, 

Director  of  the  Mint. 

Previous  to  the  passage  of  the  law  by  the  Federal  government 
for  regulating  the  Coins  of  the  United  States,  much  perplexity 
arose  from  the  use  of  no  less  than  four  different  currencies  or 
rates,  at  which  one  species  of  coin  was  recoined,  in  the  different 
parts  of  the  Union.  Thus,  in  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts, 
Maine,  Rhode  Island,  Connecticut,  Vermont,  Virginia  and  Ken- 
tucky, the  dollar  was  recoined  at  six  shillings;  in  New  York 
and  North  Carolina  at  eight  shillings;  in  New  Jersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Maryland  at  seven  shillings  and  six  pence ; in 
Georgia  and  South  Carolina  at  four  shillings  and  eight  pence. 
The  subject  had  engaged  the  attention  of  the  Congress  of  the  old 
confederation,  and  the  present  system  of  the  coins  is  formed 
upon  the  principles  laid  down  in  their  resolution  of  1786,  by 
which  the  denominations  of  money  of  account  were  required  to 
be  dollars  (the  dollar  being  the  unit),  dismes  or  tenths,  cents  or 
hundredths,  and  mills  or  thousandths  of  a dollar.  Nothing  can 
be  more  simple  or  convenient  than  this  decimal  subdivision. 
The  terms  are  proper  because  they  express  the  proportions 
which  they  are  intended  to  designate.  The  dollar  was  wisely 
chosen,  as  it  corresponded  with  the  Spanish  coin,  with  which 
we  had  been  long  familiar. 

Visiting  the  Mint. 

The  Mint,  on  Chestnut  street  near  Broad,  is  open  to  the  pub- 
lic daily,  excepting  Sundays  and  holidays,  from  9 to  12  A.  M. 
Visitors  are  met  by  the  courteous  ushers,  who  attend  them  through 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


21 


the  various  departments.  It  is  estimated  that  over  forty  thousand 
persons  have  visited  the  institution  in  the  course  of  a single  year. 
Owing  to  the  immense  amount  of  the  precious  metals  which  is 
always  in  course  of  transition,  and  the  watchful  care  necessary 
to  a correct  transaction  of  business,  the  public  are  necessarily 
excluded  from  some  of  the  departments.  These,  however,  are 
of  but  little  interest  to  the  many  and  are  described  under  their 
proper  heads.  The  system  adopted  in  the  Mint  is  so  precise  and 
the  weighing:  so  accurate,  that  the  abstraction  of  the  smallest 
particle  of  metal  would  lead  to  almost  immediate  detection. 

On  entering  the  rotunda,  the  office  of  the  Cashier  is  to  the 
right.  Farther  in,  in  the  hall,  to  the  rear,  on  the  right,  is 
the  room  where  the  large  silver  bars  are  weighed,  and  still 
further  back  a large  vault,  on  which  has  been  built  a room  in 
which  nickels  and  cents  are  counted. 

The  Deposit  oh  Weighing-room. 

On  the  left  is  the  Deposit  or  Weighing-room,  where  all  the 
gold  and  silver  for  coining  is  received  and  first  weighed.  The 
largest  weight  used  in  this  room  is  five  hundred  ounces,  the 


SCALES. 

smallest,  is  the  thousandth  part  of  an  ounce.  The  scales  are 
wonderfully  delicate,  and  are  examined  and  adjusted  every 
morning.  On  the  right  in  this  room  is  one  of  the  fifteen 


22 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OE 


vaults  in  the  building.  Of  solid  masonry,  several  of  them  are 
iron-lined,  with  double  doors  of  the  same  metal  and  most  com- 
plicated and  burglar-proof  locks. 

It  is  estimated  that  about  fifteen  hundred  million  dollars 
worth  of  gold  has  been  received  and  weighed  in  this  room; 
probably  nine-tenths  of  this  amount  was  from  California,  since 
its  discovery  there  in  the  year  1848.  Previous  to  that  time 
the  supplies  of  gold  came  principally  from  Virginia,  North 
Carolina,  and  Georgia.  During  the  past  ten  years  considerable 
quantities  have  been  received  from  Nova  Scotia,  but  most  of 


AUTOMATIC  WEIGHING  SCALES. 


the  gold  that  reaches  the  Mint,  at  the  present  time,  comes 
from  Montana,  Colorado,  Idaho,  Nevada,  Arizona,  Dakota, 
Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  and  New  Mexico. 

Formerly  the  silver  used  by  the  Mint  came  principally  from 
Mexico  and  South  America,  but  since  the  discovery  of  the 
immense  veins  of  that  metal  in  the  territories  of  the  United 
States  the  supply  is  furnished  from  the  great  West. 

The  copper  used  comes  principally  from  the  mine3  of  Lake 
Superior,  the  finest  from  Minnesota.  The  nickel  is  chiefly 
from  Lancaster  County,  Pa. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


2a 


The  Deposit  Melting  Room. 

After  the  metal  has  been  carefully  weighed  in  the  presence 
of  the  depositor  and  the  proper  officials,  it  is  locked  in  iron 
boxes  and  taken  to  the  melting  room,  where  it  is  opened  by 
two  men,  each  provided  with  a key  to  one  of  the  separate 
locks.  There  are  four  furnaces  in  this  room,  and  the  first 
process  of  melting  takes  place  here.  The  gold  and  silver, 
being  mixed  with  borax  and  other  fluxing  material,  is  placed  in 
pots,  melted  and  placed  in  iron  moulds,  and  when  cooled  is 
again  taken  to  the  deposit  room  in  bars,  where  it  is  reweighed, 
and  a small  piece  cut  from  each  lot  by  the  Assay er.  From 
this  the  fineness  of  the  whole  is  ascertained,  the  value  calcu- 
lated, and  the  depositor  paid.  All  of  the  metal  is  kept  in  the 
vault  in  the  weigh-room  until  the  end  of  the  month  and  is 
then  transferred  to  the  Melter  and  Refiner. 

Office  of  the  Melter  and  Refiner. 

Adjoining  the  Deposit  Melting  Room  are  the  Melter  and 
Refiner  and  assistants.  This  is  the  general  business  office  of 
the  head  of  this  department,  and  is  also  used  for  weighing  the 
necessary  quantities  of  the  metals  used  in  alloying  coin. 

The  Process  of  Assay. 

The  two  essential  things  regarding  every  piece  of  metal 
offered  in  payment  of  any  dues  were,  first,  the  weight  or  quan- 
tity, next,  the  fineness  or  purity  of  the  same.  The  process  of 
weighing  even  the  baser  metals  used  in  coining  must  be  con- 
ducted by  the  careful  use  of  accurate  scales,  with  precise  notes 
of  the  results.  In  precious  metals,  gold,  silver,  and  their  high 
grade  alloys,  a very  small  variation  in  the  fineness  makes  a 
great  difference  in  the  value.  Nothing  is  more  essential  than 
the  accurate  determination  of  the  weight  of  the  sample  and  of 
the  metal  obtained  from  it.  It  requires  keen  sight  and  most 
delicate  adjustment  in  the  hand  which  manipulates  the  Lillipu- 
tian scales  of  an  Assayer’s  table.  The  smallest  weight  used 
in  the  Mint  is  found  in  the  Assay  Room ; it  is  the  thirteen- 
hundredth  part  of  a grain,  and  can  scarcely  be  seen  with  the 
naked  eye,  unless  on  a white  ground.  The  Assay  Department 
is  strictly  a technical  and  scientific  branch  of  the  service.  It 
has  been  practically  under  one  regime,  for  the  last  fifty  years. 
There  have  been  but  three  Chief  Assayers  in  that  time,  the 
only  removals  being  by  death,  the  only  appointments  by  pro- 
motion. Its  workmen  are  all  picked  men,  selected  from  other 
parts  of  the  Mint  for  special  fitness  and  good  character. 


24 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


The  Assaying  Rooms. 

These  are  on  the  second  floor,  in  the  southwest  corner  of 
the  building.  In  one  of  these  are  fires,  stills,  and  other  ap- 
pliances used  in  the  delicate  and  complicated  process  of  assay, 
by  which  the  specific  standard  of  the  fineness  and  purity  of 
the  various  metals  are  established  and  declared. 

Assaying  Gold. 

The  gold  is  melted  down  and  stirred,  by  which  a com- 
plete mixture  is  effected,  so  that  an  assay  piece  may  be 
taken  from  any  part  of  the  bar  after  it  is  east.  The  piece 
taken  for  this  purpose  is  rolled  out  for  the  convenience  of 
cutting.  It  is  then  taken  to  an  assay  balance  (sensible  to  the 
ten-thousandth  of  a half  gramme  or  less),  and  from  it  is 
weighed  a half  gramme,  which  is  the  normal  assay  weight  for 
gold,  being  about  7.7  grains  troy.  This  weight  is  stamped 
1000;  and  all  the  lesser  weights  (afterwards  brought  into 
requisition)  are  decimal  divisions  of  this  weight,  down  to  one 
ten-thousandth  part. 

Silver  is  next  weighed  out  for  the  quartation  (alloying),  and 
as  the  assay  piece,  if  standard,  should  contain  900-thousandths 
of  gold,  there  must  be  three  times  this  weight,  or  2700-thou- 
sandths of  silver;  and  this  is  the  quantity  used.  The  lead 
used  for  the  cupellation  is  kept  prepared  in  thin  sheets,  cut  in 
square  pieces,  which  should  each  weigh  about  ten  times  as 
much  as  the  gold  under  assay.  The  lead  is  now  rolled  into 
the  form  of  a hollow  cone ; and  into  this  are  introduced  the 
assay  gold  and  the  quartation  silver,  when  the  lead  is  closed 
around  them  and  pressed  into  a ball.  The  furnace  having  been 
properly  heated,  and  the  cupels  placed  in  it  and  brought  to 
the  same  temperature,  the  leaden  ball,  wdth  its  contents,  is  put 
into  a cupel  (a  small  cup  made  of  burned  bones,  capable  of 
absorbing  base  metals),  the  furnace  closed,  and  the  operation 
allowed  to  proceed,  until  all  agitation  is  ceased  to  be  observed 
in  the  melted  metal,  and  its  surface  has  become  bright.  This 
is  an  indication  that  the  whole  of  the  base  metals  have  been 
converted  into  oxides,  and  absorbed  by  the  cupel. 

The  cupellation  being  thus  finished,  the  metal  is  allowed  to 
cool  slowly,  and  the  disc  or  button  which  it  forms  is  taken 
from  the  cupel.  The  button  is  then  flattened  by  a hammer; 
is  annealed  by  bringing  it  to  a red  heat;  is  laminated  by 
passing  it  between  the  rollers ; is  again  annealed ; and  is  rolled 
loosely  into  a spiral  or  coil  called  a cornet.  It  is  now  ready 
for  the  process  of  quartation.  This  was  formerly  effected  in 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


25 


n glass  matrass,  aud  that  mode  is  still  used  occasionally,  when 
there  are  few  assays.  But  a great  improvement,  first  introduced 
into  this  country  by  the  Assayer  in  1867,  was  the — “plati- 
num apparatus/’  invented  in  England.  It  consists  of  a plati- 
num vessel  in  which  to  boil  the  nitric  acid,  which  is  to  dissolve 
out  the  silver,  and  a small  tray  containing  a set  of  platinum 
thimbles  with  fine  slits  in  the  bottom.  In  these  the  silver  is 
taken  out,  by  successive  supplies  of  nitric  acid,  without  any  de- 
canting as  in  the  case  of  glass  vessels.  The  cornets  are  also 
•annealed  in  the  thimbles  ; in  fact  there  is  no  shifting  from  the 
■coiling  to  the  final  weighing,  which  determines  the  fineness  of 
the  original  sample  by  proportionate  weights  in  thousandths. 
In  this  process  extra  care  has  to  be  taken  in  adding  the  pro- 
portions of  silver,  as  the  “ shaking  ” of  any  one  cornet,  might 
■damage  the  others. 

Assaying  Silver. 

The  process  of  assaying  silver  differs  from  that  of  gold.  To 
obtain  the  assay  sample,  a little  of  the  metals  is  dipped  from 
the  pot  and  poured  quickly  into  water,  producing  a granu- 
lation, from  portions  of  which  that  needed  for  assay  is  taken. 
In  the  case  of  silver  alloyed  with  copper  there  is  separation,  to 
a greater  or  less  degree,  between  the  two  metals  in  the  aet  of 
solidification.  Thus  an  ingot  or  bar,  cooled  in  a mould,  or  any 
single  piece  cut  from  either,  though  really  900-thousandths 
line  on  the  average,  will  show  such  variations,  according  to  the 
place  of  cutting,  as  might  exceed  the  limits  allowed  by  law. 
But  the  sudden  chill  produced  by  throwing  the  liquid  metal 
into  water,  yields  a granulation  of  entirely  homogeneous 
mixture  that  the  same  fineness  results,  whether  by  assaying  a 
single  granule,  or  part  of  one,  or  a number. 

From  this  sample  the  weight  of  1115  thousandths  is  taken; 
this  is  dissolved  in  a glass  bottle  with  nitric  acid.  The  standard 
solution  of  salt  is  introduced  and  chloride  of  silver  is  the  result, 
which  contains  of  the  metallic  silver  1000  parts  ; this  is  repeated 
until  the  addition  of  the  salt  water  shows  but  a faint  trace  of 
chloride  below  the  upper  surface  of  the  liquid.  For  instance : 
if  three  measures  of  the  decimal  solution  have  been  used  with 
effect,  the  result  will  show  that  the  1115  parts  of  the  piece  con- 
tained 1003  of  pure  silver ; and  thus  the  proportion  of  pure 
silver  in  the  whole  alloyed  metal  is  ascertained.  Extensive 
knowledge  and  experience  are  required  in  such  matters  as 
making  the  bone-ash  cupels,  fine  proof  gold  and  silver,  testing 
acids,  and  other  special  examinations  and  operations.  The 
Assayer  must,  himself,  be  familiar  with  all  the  operations  of 
minting,  as  critical  questions  are  naturally  carried  to  him. 


26 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OP 


The  rendering  of  decisions  upon  counterfeit  or  suspicious  coin? 
has  long  been  a specialty  in  this  department.  Once  a year  the 
President  appoints  a scientific  commission  to  examine  the  coin& 
of  the  preceding  year.  There  has  never  yet  been  a Philadelphia 
coin  found  outside  of  the  tolerance  of  fineness. 

The  Separating  Room. 

This  department  occupies  the  largest  part  of  the  west  side  of 
the  building,  on  the  second  floor.  Here  the  gold  and  silver 
used  by  the  Mint  in  the  manufacture  of  coin  and  fine  bars  are 
separated  from  each  other,  or  whatever  other  metals  may  be 
mixed  with  them,  and  purified.  It  goes  to  this  room  aftei 
having  been  once  melted  and  assayed.  In  separating  and  puri- 
fying  gold,  it  is  always  necessary  to  add  to  it  a certain  quantity 
of  pure  silver.  The  whole  is  then  immersed  in  nitric  acid, 
which  dissolves  the  silver  into  a liquid  which  looks  like  pure 
water.  The  acid  does  not  dissolve  the  gold,  but  leaves  it  pure. 
The  silver  solution  is  then  drawn  off,  leaving  the  gold  at  the 
bottom  of  the  tub.  It  is  then  gathered  up  into  pans  and 
washed. 

The  silver  in  the  condition  in  which  it  is  received  from  the  hands 
of  the  depositor,  and  generally  filled  with  foreign  impurities,  is 
melted  and  then  granulated,  after  which  the  whole  mass  is  dis- 
solved with  nitric  acid.  The  acid  dissolves  the  base  metals  as 
well  as  the  silver.  The  liquid  metals  are  then  run  into  tubs  pre- 
pared for  it,  and  precipitated,  or  rendered  into  a partially  hard 
state,  by  being  mixed  with  common  salt  water.  After  being 
precipitated  it  is  called  “ chloride,”  and  resembles  very  closely 
new  slacked  lime.  By  putting  spelter  or  zinc  on  the  precipi- 
tated chloride,  it  becomes  metallic  silver,  and  only  needs  wash- 
ing and  melting  to  make  the  purest  virgin  metal.  The  base 
metals  remain  in  a liquid  state,  and  being  of  little  value  are 
generally  thrown  away.  The  process  of  refining  silver  is  of 
two  kinds ; that  of  melting  it  with  saltpetre,  etc.,  which  was 
known  some  thousands  of  years  since,  and  the  modern  process 
©f  dissolving  it  in  nitric  acid,  like  the  method  of  extracting  it 
from  gold  in  the  above  described  operation. 

After  the  separating  process  has  been  completed,  the  gold 
or  silver  is  conveyed  to  the  Drying  Cellar,  where  it  is  put 
under  pressure  of  some  eighty  tons,  and  all  the  water  pressed 
out.  It  is  then  dried  with  heat,  and  afterwards  conveyed  in 
large  cakes  to  the  furnaces. 

The  Melting  Rooms. 

are  on  the  first  floor,  in  the  west  side  of  the  building.  Here 
all  the  metal  used  in  coining  is  alloyed,  melted  and  poured  into 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


27 


narrow  moulds.  These  castings  are  called  ingots ; they  are- 
about  twelve  inches  long,  a half-inch  thick,  and  vary  from  one. 
to  two  a half-inches  in  breadth,  according  to  the  coin  for  which 
they  are  used,  one  end  being  wedge-shaped  to  allow  its  being 


CASTING  INGOTS. 


passed  through  the  rollers.  The  value  of  gold  ingots  is  from 
$600  to  $1,400 ; those  of  silver,  about  $60.  The  fine  gold 
and  silver  bars  used  in  the  arts  and  for  commercial  purposes, 
are  also  cast  in  this  department. 


INGOTS. 


These  are  stamped  with  their  weight  and  value  in  the  deposit 
room.  The  floors  that  cover  the  melting  rooms  are  made  of 
iron  in  honey-comb  pattern,  divided  into  small  sections,  so 


28 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


that  they  can  be  readily  taken  up  to  save  the  dust ; their 
roughness  acting  as  a scraper,  preventing  any  metallic  particles 
from  clinging  to  the  soles  of  the  shoes  of  those  who  pass  through 
the  department,  the  sweepings  of  which,  and  including  the 
entire  building,  averages  $23,000  per  annum,  for  the  last  five 
years. 

The  copper  and  nickel  melting  rooms,  wherein  all  the  base 
metals  used  are  melted  and  mixed,  is  on  the  same  side  and 
adjoining  to  the  gold  and  silver  department.  Up  to  the  year 
1856,  the  base  coin  of  the  United  States  was  exclusively 
copper.  In  this  year  the  coinage  of  what  was  called  the 
.nickel  cents  was  commenced.  These  pieces,  although  called 
nickel,  were  composed  of  one-eighth  nickel ; the  balance  was 
copper. 

The  composition  of  the  five  and  three  cent  pieces  is  one- 
fourth  nickel ; the  balance  copper.  The  bronze  pieces  were 
changed  in  1859,  and  are  a mixture  of  copper,  zinc  and  tin, 
about  equal  parts  of  each  of  the  two  last ; the  former  contribut- 
ing about  95  per  cent.  There  are  seven  furnaces  in  this  room, 
each  capable  of  melting  five  hundred  pounds  of  metal  per  day. 
When  the  metal  is  heated  and  sufficiently  mixed,  it  is  poured 
into  iron  moulds,  and  when  cool,  and  the  rough  ends  clipped 
off,  is  ready  to  be  conveyed  to  the  rolling  room. 

The  Rolling  Room. 

From  the  melting  rooms  through  the  corridor  we  reach  the 
rolling  room.  The  upright  engine,  on  the  right,  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  horse  power,  supplies  the  motive  force  to  the  roll- 
ing machines,  four  in  number.  Those  on  the  left,  are  massive 
and  substantial  in  their  frame-work,  with  rollers  of  steel, 
polished  by  service  in  reducing  the  ingots  to  planchets  for 
coining.  The  first  process  or  rolling  is  termed  breaking  down  ; 
after  that  it  requires  to  be  passed  through  the  machine  until  it 
is  reduced  to  the  required  thinness — ten  times  if  gold,  eight  if 
silver,  being  annealed  in  the  intervals  to  prevent  breaking. 
'The  rollers  are  adjustable  and  the  space  between  them  can  be 
increased  or  diminished  at  pleasure,  by  the  operator.  About 
two  hundred  ingots  are  run  through  per  hour  on  each  pair  of 
rollers. 

The  pressure  applied  is  so  intense  that  half  a day’s  rolling 
heats,  not  only  the  strips  and  rollers,  but  even  the  huge  iron 
stanchions,  weighing  several  tons,  so  hot  that  you  can  hardly 
hold  your  hand  on  them. 

When  the  rolling  is  completed  the  strip  is  about  six  feet  long, 
or  six  times  as  long  as  the  ingot. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


29 


It  is  impossible  to  roll  perfectly  true.  At  times  there  will  be 
a lump  of  hard  gold,  which  will  not  be  quite  so  much  compressed 
as  the  rest.  If  the  planchets  were  cut  from  this  place,  it 
would  be  heavier  and  more  valuable  than  one  cut  from  a thinner 
portion  of  the  strip.  It  is,  therefore,  necessary  to  “ draw  ” the 
strips,  after  being  softened  by  annealing. 


Rolling  Machine. 


Annealing  Furnaces. 

These  are  in  the  same  room,  to  the  right  facing  the  rollers. 
The  gold  and  strips  are  placed  in  copper  canisters,  and  then 
placed  in  the  furnaces  and  heated  to  a red  heat ; silver  strips 
being  laid  loosely  in  the  furnace.  When  they  become  soft  and 
pliable,  they  are  taken  out  and  allowed  to  cool  slowly. 

The  Drawing  Benches. 

These  machines  resemble  long  tables,  with  a bench  on  either 
side,  at  one  end  of  which  is  an  iron  box  secured  to  the  table. 
In  this  are  fastened  two  perpendicular  steel  cylinders,  firmly 
supported  in  a bed,  to  prevent  their  bending  or  turning  around, 
and  presenting  but  a small  portion  of  their  circumference  to 
the  strip.  These  are  exactly  at  the  same  distance  apart  that 
the  thickness  of  the  strip  is  required  to  be.  One  end  of  the 


30 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


strip  is  somewhat  thinner  than  the  rest,  to  allow  it  to  pass 
easily  between  the  cylinders.  When  through,  this  end  is  put 
between  the  jaws  of  a powerful  pair  of  tongs,  or  pincers, 
fastened  to  a little  carriage  running  on  the  table.  The  carriage 
to  the  further  bench  is  up  close  to  the  cylinders,  ready  to  receive 
a strip,  which  is  inserted  edgewise.  When  the  end  is  between 
the  pincers,  the  operator  touches  a foot  pedal  which  closes  the 
pincers  firmly  on  the  strip,  and  pressing  another  pedal,  forces 
down  a strong  hook  at  the  left  end  of  the  carriage,  which 
catches  in  a link  of  the  moving  chain.  This  draws  the 
carriage  away  from  the  cylinders,  and  the  strip  being  con- 
nected with  it  has  to  follow.  It  is  drawn  between  the  cylinders, 


which  operating  on  the  thick  part  of  the  strip  with  greater  power 
than  upon  the  thin,  reduces  the  whole  to  an  equal  thickness. 
When  the  strip  is  through,  the  strain  on  the  tongs  instantly 
ceases,  which  allows  a spring  to  open  them  and  drop  the  strip. 
At  the  same  time  another  spring  raises  the  hook  and  disengages 
the  carriage  from  the  chain.  A cord  fastened  to  the  carriage 
runs  back  over  the  wheel  near  the  head  of  the  table,  and  then 
up  to  a couple  of  combination  weights  on  the  wall  beyond, 
which  draw  the  carriage  back  to  the  starting  place,  ready  for 
another  strip. 

The  Cutting  Machines. 

After  being  thoroughly  washed,  the  strips  are  consigned  to 
the  cutting  machines.  These  are  in  the  rear  of  the  rolling  mills, 

o 1 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


31 


ami  are  several  in  number,  each  when  in  active  operation 
cutting  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  planchets  per  minute. 
The  press  now'  used,  consists  of  a vertical  steel  punch,  which 
works  in  a round  hole  or  matrix,  cut  in  a solid  steel  plate. 
The  action  of  the  punch  is  obtained  by  an  eccentric  wheel. 
For  instance,  in  an  ordinary  carriage  wheel,  the  axis  is  in  the 
centre,  and  the  wheel  revolves  evenly  around  it.  But  if  the 


axis  is  placed,  say  four  inches  from  the  centre,  then  it  would 
revolve  with  a kind  of  hobble.  From  this  peculiar  motion 
its  name  is  derived.  Suppose  the  tire  of  the  wheel  is  arranged, 
not  to  revolve  with,  but  to  slip  easily  around  the  wheel,  and  a 
rod  is  fastened  to  one  side  of  the  tire  which  prevents  its  turn- 


STRIP  FROM  WHICH  PLANCHETS  ARE  CUT. 


ing.  Now  as  the  wheel  revolves  and  brings  the  long  side  near- 
est the  rod , it  will  push  forward  the  rod,  and  when  the  long 
side  of  the  wheel  is  away  from  the  rod , it  draws  the  rod  with  it. 

The  upper  shaft,  on  which  are  seen  the  three  large  wheels, 
has  also  fastened  to  it,  over  each  press,  an  eccentric  wheel.  In 


32 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


the  first  illustration  will  be  seen  three  upright  rods  running; 
from  near  the  table  to  the  top.  The  middle  one  is  connected 
with  a tire  around  the  eccentric  wheel,  and  rises  and  falls  with 
each  revolution.  The  eccentric  power  gives  great  rapidity  of 
motion  with  but  little  jerking. 

The  operator  places  one  end  of  a strip  of  metal  in  the  im- 
mense jaws  of  the  press,  and  cuts  out  a couple  of  planchets, 
which  are  a fraction  larger  than  the  coin  to  be  struck.  As  the 
strips  are  of  uniform  thickness,  if  these  two  are  of  the  right 
weight,  all  cut  from  that  strip  will  be  the  same.  They  are 
therefore  weighed  accurately.  If  right,  or  a little  heavy,  they 
are  allowed  to  pass,  as  the  extra  weight  can  be  filed  off.  If  too* 
light,  the  whole  strip  has  to  be  re-melted.  As  fast  as  cut  the 
planchets  fall  into  a box  below,  and  the  perforated  strips  are 
folded  into  convenient  lengths  to  be  re-melted.  From  a strip- 
worth  say  eleven  hundred  dollars,  eight  hundred  dollars  of 
planchets  will  be  cut. 


Adjusting  Room. 

The  planchets  are  then  removed  to  the  adjusting  room,  where- 
they  are  adjusted.  This  work  is  performed  by  ladies.  After 


DELICATE  SCALES. 


inspection  they  are  weighed  on  very  accurate  scales.  If  a* 
planchet  is  too  heavy,  but  near  the  weight,  it  is  filed  off  at  the- 
edges ; if  too  heavy  for  filing,  it  is  thrown  aside  with  the  light 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


3-3 


ones,  to  be  re-melted.  To  adjust  coin  so  accurately  requires 
great  delicacy  and  skill,  as  a too  free  use  of  the  file  would 
make  it  too  light.  Yet  by  long  practice,  so  accustomed  do 
the  operators  become,  that  they  work  with  apparent  unconcern, 
scarce  glancing  at  either  planchets  or  scales,  and  guided  as  it 
were  by  unerring  touch. 

The  exceedingly  delicate  scales  were  made  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Mr.  Peale,  who  greatly  improved  on  the  old  ones  in 
use.  So  precise  and  sensitive  are  they  that  the  slightest  breath 
of  air  affects  their  accuracy,  rendering  it  necessary  to  exclude 
every  draft  from  the  room. 

Progress  in  Coining. 

The  methods  of  coining  money  have  varied  with  the  progress 
in  mechanic  arts,  and  are  but  indefinitely  traced  from  the 
beginning;  the  primitive  mode,  being  by  the  casting  of 
the  piece  in  sand,  the  impression  being  made  with  a hammer 


and  punch.  In  the  middle  ages  the  metal  was  hammered  into 
sheets  of  the  required  thickness,  cut  with  shears  into  shape, 
and  then  stamped  by  hand  with  the  design.  The  mill  and 
screw,  by  which  greater  increase  in  power,  with  finer  finish  was 
gained,  dates  back  to  the  Sixteenth  Century.  This  process, 
with  various  modifications  and  improvements,  continued  in  use 
in  the  Philadelphia  Mint  until  1836. 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


34 


The  first  steam  coining  press  was  invented  by  M.  Thonnelier, 
•of  France,  in  1833,  and  was  first  used  in  the  United  States 
Mint  in  1836.  It  was  remodeled  and  rebuilt  in  1858,  but  in 
18T4  was  superseded  by  the  one  now  in  operation,  the  very 


STEAM  COINING  PRESS. 

perfection  of  mechanism,  in  which  the  vibration  and  unsteady 
bearing  of  the  former  press  were  entirely  obviated,  and  pre- 
cision attained  by  the  solid  stroke  with  a saving  of  over  seventy- 
five  per  cent,  in  the  wearing  and  breaking  of  the  dies. 


Dies. 

The  dies  for  coining  are  prepared  by  engravers,  especially 
employed  at  the  Mint  for  that  purpose.  The  process  of  en- 
graving them  consists  in  cutting  the  devices  and  legends  in 
soft  steel,  those  parts  being  depressed  which,  in  the  coin,  appear 

in  relief.  This,  having  been  finished 
and  hardened,  constitutes  an  u origi- 
nal die”  which,  being  the  result  of 
a tedious  and  difficult  task,  is  deemed 
too  precious  to  be  directly  employed 
in  striking  coins ; but  it  is  used  for 
multiplying  dies.  It  is  first  used  to 
impress  another  piece  of  soft  steel, 
which  then  presents  the  appearance  of  a coin,  and  is  called  a 
hub.  This  hub,  being  hardened,  is  used  to  impress  other 


DIES. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT 


35 


pieces  of  steel  in  like  manner  which,  being  like  the  original 
die,  are  hardened  and  used  for  striking  the  coins.  A pair  of 
these  will,  on  an  average,  perform  two  weeks  work. 


Transfer  Lathe. 

The  transfer  lathe,  a very  complicated  piece  of  machinery,  is 
vised  in  making  dies,  for  coins  and  medals.  By  it,  from  a large 
east,  the  design  can  be  transferred  and  engraved  in  smaller 
size,  in  perfect  proportion  to  the  original. 

The  Coining  and  Milling  Rooms. 

This  department,  the  most  interesting  to  the  general  visitor, 
occupies  the  larger  portion  of  the  first  floor  on  the  east  side  of 
the  building.  The  rooms  are  divided  by  an  iron  railing,  which 
separates  the  visitors,  on  either  side,  from  the  machinery,  etc., 
but  allows  everything  to  be  seen. 


3d 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


. plan chets,  after  being  adjusted,  are  received  here,  and 

an  order  to  protect  the  surface  of  the  coin,  are  passed  through 
the  milling-machine.  The  planchets  are  fed  to  this  machine 


milling  machine. 

through  an  upright  tube,  and,  as  they  descend  from  the  lower 
aperture,  they  are  caught  upon  the  edge  of  a revolving  wheel 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


37 


and  carried  about  a quarter  of  a revolution,  during  which  the 
edge  is  compressed  and  forced  up — the  space  between  the  wheel 
and  the  rim  being  a little  less  than  the  diameter  of  the  plan- 
chet.  This  apparatus  moves  so  nimbly  that  five  hundred  and 
sixty  half-dimes  can  be  milled  in  a minute  ; but,  for  large 
pieces,  the  average  is  about  one  hundred  and  twenty.  In  this 


PERFECTED  COINING  PRESS. 


room  are  the  milling  machines,  and  the  massive,  but  delicate, 
coining  presses,  ten  in  number.  Each  of  these  is  capable  of 
coining  from  eighty  to  one  hundred  pieces  a minute.  Only 
the  largest  are  used  in  making  coins  of  large  denominations. 

The  arch  is  a solid  piece  of  cast  iron,  weighing  several  tons, 
and  unites  with  its  beauty  great  strength.  The  table  is  also 


38 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


of  iron,  brightly  polished  and  very  heavy.  In  the  interior  of 
the  arch  is  a nearly  round  plate  of  brass,  called  a triangle.  If 
is  fastened  to  a lever  above  by  two  steel  bands,  termed  stirrups,* 
one  of  which  can  be  seen  to  the  right  of  the  arch.  The  stout 
arm  above  it,  looking  so  dark  in  the  picture,  is  also  connected 


with  the  triangle  by  a ball-and-socket  joint,  and  it  is  this  arm 
which  forces  down  the  triangle.  The  arm  is  connected  with 
the  end  of  the  lever  above  by  a joint  somewhat  like  that  of  the 
knee.  One  end  of  the  lever  can  be  seen  reaching  behind  the 
arch  to  a crank  near  the  large  fly-wheel.  When  the  triangle 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


39 


is  raised , the  arm  and  near  end  of  the  lever  extends  outward. 
When  the  crank  lifts  the  further  end  of  the  lever  it  draws  in 
the  knee  and  forces  down  the  arm  until  it  is  perfectly  straight. 
By  that  time  the  crank  has  revolved  and  is  lowering  the  lever* 
which  forces  out  the  knee  again  and  raises  the  arm.  As  the  tri- 
angle is  fastened  to  the  arm  it  has  to  follow  all  its  movements. 

Under  the  triangle,  buried  in  the  lower  part  of  the  arch,  is  a 
steel  cup,  or,  technically,  a “die  stake.”  Into  this  is  fastened 
the  reverse  die.  The  die  stake  is  arranged  to  rise  one-eighth 
of  an  inch ; when  down  it  rests  firmly  on  the  solid  foundation 
of  the  arch.  Over  the  die  stake  is  a steel  collar  or  plate,  in 
which  is  a hole  large  enough  to  allow  a planchet  to  drop  upon 
the  die.  In  the  triangle  above,  the  obverse  die  is  fastened,  which 
moves  with  the  triangle ; when  the  knee  is  straightened  the  die 
fits  into  the  collar  and  presses  down  upon  the  reverse  die. 

Just  in  front  of  the  triangle  will  be  seen  an  upright  tube  made 
of  brass,  and  of  the  size  to  hold  the  planchets  to  be  coined. 
These  are  placed  in  this  tube.  As  they  reach  the  bottom  they 
are  seized  singly  by  a pair  of  steel  feeders,  in  motion  as  similar 
to  that  of  the  finger  and  thumb  as  is  possible  in  machinery* 
and  carried  over  the  collar  and  deposited  between  the  dies* 
and,  while  the  fingers  are  expanding  and  returning  for  another 
planchet,  the  dies  close  on  the  one  within  the  collar,  and  by  a 
rotary  motion  are  made  to  impress  it  silently  but  powerfully. 
The  fingers,  as  they  again  close  upon  a planchet  at  the  mouth 
of  the  tube,  also  seize  the  coin,  and,  while  conveying  a second 
planchet  on  to  the  die,  carry  the  coin  off,  dropping  it  into  a 
box  provided  for  that  purpose,  and  the  operation  is  continued 
ad  infinitum . These  presses  are  attended  by  ladies,  and  do 
their  work  in  a perfect  manner.  The  engine  that  drives  the 
machinery  is  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  horse-power. 

After  being  stamped  the  coins  are  taken  to  the  Coiner’s  room, 
and  placed  on  a long  table — the  double  eagles  in  piles  of  ten  each. 
It  will  be  remembered  that,  in  the  Adjusting  Boom,  a difference 
of  one-half  a grain  was  made  in  the  weight  of  some  of  the  double 
eagles.  The  light  and  heavy  ones  are  kept  separate  in  coining, 
and  when  delivered  to  the  treasurer,  they  are  mixed  together  in 
such  proportions  as  to  give  him  full  weight  in  every  delivery. 
By  law  the  deviation  from  the  standard  weight,  in  delivering  to 
him,  must  not  exceed  three  pennyweights  in  one  thousand  double 
eagles.  The  gold  coins — as  small  as  quarter  eagles  being  counted 
and  weighed  to  verify  the  count — are  put  up  in  bags  of  $5,000 
each.  The  three-dollar  pieces  are  put  up  in  bags  of  $3,000* 
and  one-dollar  pieces  in  $1,000  bags.  The  silver  pieces,  and 
sometimes  small  gold,  are  counted  on  a very  ingenious  con- 
trivance called  a “counting-board.” 


dU  ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


COUNTING  BOARD. 


By  this  process  twenty-five  dollars  in  five-cent  pieces  can  be 
counted  in  less  than  a minute.  The  “ boards”  are  a simple  flat 
surface  of  wood,  with  copper  partitions,  the  height  and  size  of  the 
coin  to  he  counted,  rising  from  the  surface  at  regular  intervals, 
and  running  parallel  with  each  other  from  top  to  bottom.  They 
somewhat  resemble  a common  household  “washing  board,”  with 
the  grooves  running  parallel  with  the  sides  but  much  larger. 
The  boards  are  worked  by  hand,  over  a box,  and  as  the  pieces 
are  counted  they  slide  into  a drawer  prepared  to  receive  them. 
They  are  then  put  into  bags  and  are  ready  for  shipment.* 


* For  the  various  duties  of  the  Mint  there  are  over  three  hundred  persons  employed 
as  clerks,  workmen,  etc. — say  about  two-thirds  men  and  one-third  women — the  number 
depending,  of  course,  upon  the  amount  of  work  to  be  done. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


41 


THE  CABINET. 

The  room  in  the  Mint  used  for  the  Cabinet  is  on  the  second 
(floor.  It  was  formerly  a suite  of  three  apartments  connected 
by  folding-doors,  but  the  doors  have  been  removed,  and  it  is 
now  a pleasant  saloon  fifty-four  feet  long  by  sixteen  wide. 
The  eastern  and  western  sections  are  of  the  same  proportions, 
each  with  a broad  window.  The  central  section  is  lighted 
from  the  dome,  which  is  suported  by  four  columns.  There  is 
an  open  space  immediately  under  the  dome,  to  give  light  to 
the  hall  below,  which  is  the  main  entrance  to  the  Mint. 
Around  this  space  is  a railing  and  a circular  case  for  coins. 
The  Cabinet  of  Coins  was  established  in  1838,  by  Dr.  It.  M. 
Patterson,  then  Director  of  the  Mint.  Anticipating  such  a 
demand,  reserves  had  been  made  for  many  years  by  Adam 
Eckfeldt,*  the  Coiner,  of  the  “master  coins”  of  the  Mint;  a 
term  used  to  signify  first  pieces  from  new  dies,  bearing  a high 
polish  and  struck  with  extra  care.  These  are  now  more  com- 
monly called  “proof  pieces.”  With  this  nucleus,  and  a few 
other  valuable  pieces  from  Mr.  Eckfeldt,  the  business  was 
committed  to  the  Assay  Department,  and  especially  to  Mr. 
Du  Bois,  Assistant  Assayer.  The  collection  grew,  year  by 
year,  by  making  exchanges  to  supply  deficiencies,  by  pur- 
chases, by  adding  our  own  coin,  and  by  saving  foreign  coins 
from  the  melting-pot — a large  part  in  this  way,  at  a cost  of 
not  more  than  their  bullion  value,  though  demanding  great 
care,  appreciation,  and  study.  Valuable  donations  were  also 
made  by  travelers,  consuls,  and  missionaries.  In  1839,  Con- 
gress appropriated  the  sum  of  $1,000  for  the  purchase  of 
“specimens  of  ores  and  coins  to  be  preserved  at  the  Mint.” 
Annually,  since,  the  sum  of  $300  has  been  appropriated  by  the 
Government  for  this  object.  More  has  not  been  asked  or  de- 
sired, for  the  officers  of  the  Mint  have  not  sought  to  vie  with 
the  long  established  collections  of  the  national  cabinets  of  the 
old  world,  or  even  to  equal  the  extravagance  of  some  private 
numismatists;  but  they  have  admirably  succeeded  in  their 
purpose  to  secure  such  coins  as  would  interest  all,  from  the 
schoolboy  to  the  most  enthusiastic  archaeologist.  The  economic 
principle  upon  which  the  collection  has  been  gathered  is  a 
lesson  to  all  governmental  departments  in  frugality,  as  well  as 
a restraint  upon  the  natural  tendency  to  extravagance  which 
has  heretofore  distinguished  those  who  have  a passion  for  old 
coins.  There  are  thousands  of  coin  collectors  in  the  United 


* Adam  Eckfeldt’s  portrait,  by  Samuel  Du  Bois,  hangs  in  the  Cabinet.  A short  sketch 
of  him  will  be  found  in  the  list  of  Coiners. 


42 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


States,  and  fortunes  have  been  accumulated  in  this  strange 
way.  More  than  one  authenticated  instance  has  been  known 
in  this  country  where  a man  has  lived  in  penury,  and  died 
from  want,  yet  possessed  of  affluence  in  time-defaced  coins. 

Relics. 

Having  referred  to  the  portraits  of  the  Directors  of  the 
Mint,  we  will  cite  other  interesting  subjects  of  observation, 
before  describing  the  coins. 

The  first  object  in  the  Cabinet  attracting  attention  is  a 
framed  copy  of  the  law  of  Congress  establishing  the  Mint, 
with  its  quaint  phraseology  with  the  signature  of  Thomas 
Jefferson.  (See  fac  simile  on  page  11.) 

In  the  first  section,  near  the  western  window,  is  the  assort- 
ing machine,  the  invention  of  a Frenchman,  Baron  Seguierf 
and  which  is  now  in  use  in  the  Mint  at  Paris. 

The  planchets  for  coinage  are  liable  to  be  a little  too  heavy 
or  too  light;  it  is  therefore  necessary,  at  least  in  the  case  of 
gold,  to  assort  them  by  weighing.  This  machine  is  designed 
to  enable  one  person  to  do  the  work  of  many.  “The  planchets 
are  thrown  into  the  hopper  at  the  rear,  and,  being  arranged 
by  the  action  of  the  wheel,  slide  down  balances.  By  ma- 
chinery beneath  they  are  carried  one  by  one  to  the  nearest 
platforms  to  be  weighed.  If  too  heavy,  the  tall  needle  of  the 
beam  leans  to  the  right  and  lifts  a pallet-wire,  which  connects 
with  an  apparatus  under  the  table  by  which  the  planchet  is 
pushed  off  and  slides  into  one  of  the  brass  pans  in  front.  If 
the  piece  be  light,  the  needle  is  drawn  over  to  the  left,  and 
touches  the  other  pallet,  which  makes  a passage  to  another 
brass  pan.  If  the  piece  be  of  true  weight,  or  near  enough, 
the  needle  stands  perpendicular  between  the  pallets,  and  the 
piece  finds  its  way  into  the  third  brass  pan.” 

On  the  opposite  wall  is  a fine  cast  of  Cromwell,  a duplicate 
of  one  taken  shortly  after  his  death.  It  was  placed  here  by 
Mr.  W.  E.  Du  Bois,  who  received  it  from  H.  W.  Field,  Esq., 
late  Assayer  of  the  Royal  Mint,  London,  who  is  a descendant 
of  the  great  Protector.  Below  the  cast  of  Cromwell  is  a cas* 
showing  progressive  “ alloys  of  gold.”  The  plates  comprise 
gold  alloyed  with  copper,  gold  alloyed  with  silver,  and  gold 
fine. 

In  the  eastern  section  are  the  Standard  Test  Scales,  used  to 
test  the  weights  sent  to  all  the  mints  and  assay  offices  in  the 
United  States,  and  are  so  delicate  as  to  weigh  the  twenty- 
thousandth  part  of  an  ounce.  These  scales  were  manufactured 
by  employees  of  the  Mint,  and  have  been  in  use  more  than  a 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


43 


quarter  of  a century.  The  beam  is  hollow,  and  filled  with 
Spanish  cedar  to  guard  against  the  effect  of  dampness;  the 
bearings  are  edges  of  knife-blades,  which  impinge  on  a surface 
of  agate  plate.  These  scales  are  tested  by  the  Annual  Assay 
Committee,  which  meets  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  February  of 
every  year. 

Curiosities  and  Minerals. 

The  most  interesting  objects  of  this  curious  display  are 
three  golden  images  from  graves  in  the  Island  of  Chiriqui,  off 
Central  America.  They  were  dug  up  in  1858,  and  sent  to 
the  Mint  as  bullion,  to  be  melted.  They  are  of  pure  gold, 
but  the  workmanship  is  very  crude.  The  images  are  in  the 

forms  of  a reptile,  a bird,  and  a man  with  symbols  of  power  in 
his  hands,  not  unlike  those  designating  Jupiter.  There  are 
also,  in  the  first  section,  two  large  cases  with  choice  selections 
of  mineral  specimens,  carefully  classified  and  labeled.  These 
are  from  well  selected  results  of  years  of  patient  collecting,  and 
are  deserving  of  more  study  than  can  be  devoted  to  them  by 
casual  visitors.  They  are  chiefly  from  different  parts  of  the 
United  States,  and  are  an  “ index  book”  to  the  vast  mineral 
wealth  of  the  nation. 

Near  the  exit  door  of  the  Cabinet,  in  a large  glass  case,  is  s, 
magnificent  American  eagle,  which  is  worthy  of  the  visitor’s 
attention.  It  is  superbly  mounted,  with  grand  breadth  of 
wing  and  wondrous  piercing  eyes.  The  portrait  of  this  “ pet  ” 
can  be  recognized  on  Reverse  of  the  “ Pattern  ” Silver  Dollars 
of  1836,  1838,  and  1839,  and  on  the  Obverse  of  the  first 
nickel  cent  pieces  coined  in  1856. 

“ Peter,” 

the  name  which  the  noble  bird  recognized,  was  an  inhabitant  of 
the  Mint  six  years.  He  would  fly  about  the  city,  but  no  one 
interfered  with  the  going  or  coming  of  the  “Mint  bird,”  and 
he  never  failed  to  return  from  his  daily  exercise  before  the 
time  for  closing  the  building.  In  an  evil  hour  he  unfortunately 
perched  upon  a large  fly  wheel,  and  getting  caught  in  the 
machinery,  received  a fatal  injury  to  his  wing,  and  this  ended 
rather  an  unusual  career  for  an  eagle. 

Eastern  Corridor. 

Opening  into  the  eastern  corridor  are  the  rooms  of  the 
Superintendent,  the  Chief  Clerk  and  the  Bookkeeper.  The 
Library  of  Historical  and  Scientific  Works,  including  many 
valuable  books  upon  coinage,  is  near  by.  Passing  to  the 


44 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


gallery,  we  enter  the  Machinists’  and  Engravers’  rooms. 
Here  are  engraved  and  finished  the  dies  used  in  this  Mint 
and  in  all  the  branch  mints.  Visitors  are  not  ordinarily 
allowed  access  to  these  rooms,  or  to  the  assay  office,  or  to  the 
cellar.  (In  the  latter  are  a number  of  immense  vaults,  and 
in  the  main  cellar  are  engines,  which  supply  the  power  and 
light  used  throughout  the  building.)  Here  are  also  black- 
smith, carpenter,  and  paint  shops;  and  in  the  rear,  west  side, 
is  the  medal-striking  room,  where  medals  are  struck  by  a 
screw  press,  worked  by  hand.  The  cellar  also  contains  the 
“ sweep  ” grinding  rooms.  Near  this  room  are  the  wells, 
which  are  receptacles  for  the  water  used  in  washing  the 
precious  metals.  These  wells  are  cleaned  out  every  few  years 
and  the  deposit  is  then  treated  in  the  same  way  as  the 
sweepings. 

The  United  States  Express  Company  and  the  Adams  Ex- 
press Company  bring  to  the  Philadelphia  Mint  millions  of 
dollars  worth  of  precious  metals  in  the  shape  of  bullion  to  be 
converted  into  coin,  which  is  transported  by  the  same  com- 
panies to  various  points  to  be  put  into  circulation. 

Coins. 

The  ancient  coins  are  chiefly  arranged  in  upright  cases 
against  the  walls  in  the  doorways  and  the  middle  section  of 
the  saloon.  The  modern  coins  are  placed  in  nearly  level 
cases  at  either  end  of  the  room  and  in  the  circular  or  cen- 
tral cases.  Of  antique  coins  the  portion  labeled  Cabinet  Nos. 
97,  98,  99,  “Massilia,”  are  interesting  as  belonging  to  a 
Greek  colony  which  settled  about , six  hundred  years  before 
Christ  upon  the  coast  of  Gaul,  on  the  spot  now  known  as 
Marseilles.  This  little  colony  fled  their  native  country  and 
the  rule  of  a governor  placed  over  it  by  a Persian  monarch. 
They  were  distinguished  for  their  civilization,  and  the  work 
upon  these  small  coins  is  the  most  palpable  witness  of  that 
fact  in  existence  to-day. 

Greek  Coins. 

Their  surfaces,  of  gold,  silver,  and  bronze,  bristle  with  lance 
and  spear,  helmet  and  shield.  On  one  of  these  coins  Jove  is 
seated  and  bearing  an  eagle,  defying  Alexander  of  Macedon, 
while  on  the  obverse  the  same  mighty  conqueror  imperson- 
ates Hercules.  The  oldest  coin  here  is  supposed  to  date  back 
to  550  B.c.  It  is  well  to  mention  the  fact  that  coins  were 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


45 


never  dated  until  the  fifteenth  century ; and  previous  to  that 
time  the  ages  of  coins  can  only  be  determined  by  the  legends 
upon  them,  as  answering  to  the  page  of  corroborative  history 
and  the  art  era  to  which  they  belonged.  No.  9 bears  on 
the  obverse  the  Macedonian  horse,  a favorite  animal,  which 
the  then  war-loving  Greeks  are  said  to  have  deified  At  this 
period  the  haughty  royal  families  began  to  chronicle  in  coin 
their  line  of  descent.  The  kings  of  Macedon  claimed  Her- 
cules for  an  ancestor,  and  in  proof  thereof  the  lion’s  skin  was 
a royal  insignia.  An  old  historian  says,  “ The  kings  of  Mace- 
don,* instead  of  the  crown,  the  diadem,  the  purple,  bear  upon 
their  effigy  the  skin  of  a lion.”  Several  pieces  of  money  h. 
this  case,  upon  which  are  heads  of  Alexander,  have  rings  in 
them,  and  were  worn  by  gracious  dames  as  ornaments.  The 
value  of  this  series  of  coins  is  priceless,  as  furnishing  portraits 
of  the  heroes  of  that  period  which  can  be  received  without 
question  as  accurate,  for  the  art  patronage  of  the  kingdom  was 
regulated  by  the  strictest  laws.  Alexander  was  especially 
jealous  of  how  the  future  nations  should  regard  his  physique, 
allowing  only  three  artists,  during  his  reign,  the  privilege  of 
drawing,  painting,  or  modeling  his  head.*  To  such  royal 
guardianship  may  be  attributed  the  perfection  to  which  Greek 
art  attained ; and  it  may  well  be  a matter  of  regret  that  the 
same  firmness  in  this  regard  was  not  universal.  The  last  coin 
of  this  series  is  a small  bronze  coin,  and  was  issued  by  Per- 
seus, the  last  king  of  Macedon. 

Persian. 

In  this  case  is  a collection  of  Persian  coins,  very  choice, 
and  of  no  mean  workmanship,  and,  of  course,  portraying  the 
faith  and  rites  of  the  fire-worshippers.  One  era  is  distinctly 
Greek  in  style,  and  marks  the  period  of  Greek  supremacy. 
The  oldest  gold  coin  known  to  the  collector  is  the  gold  Daric 
of  King  Darius,  with  the  head  of  the  king  in  bold  relief ; and 
all  Persian  coins  are  so  called  in  remembrance  of  this  mon- 
arch. Their  money  was  very  fine,  so  the  word  Daric  has  be- 
come incorporated  into  numismatic  terminology  to  designate 
any  pure  gold  coin.  Nos.  58  to  67,  inclusive,  of  this  series, 
are  silver  coins  of  the  Sassanian  kings. 

Egypt 

is  also  represented  in  this  case,  as  is  proper,  for  that  nation 
had  no  coinage  until  it  was  taught  the  art  when  conquered  by 

* Horace  says  that  Alexander  the  Great  ordained  that  no  one  should  take  his  portrait 
on  gems  but  Pyrgoteles ; no  one  should  paint  him  but  Apelles ; and  no  one  should  stamp 
his  head  on  coins  but  Lysippus. — American  Bibliopolist. 


4<i 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Alexander.  Here  are  some  very  attractive  data  of  Egyptian 
history,  and  from  these  coins  are  obtained  the  only  portraits 
of  Arsinoe,  Cleopatra,  and  others. 

The  Syrian  Coins 

are  embraced  in  the  division  called  “ Greek  monarchies,”  and 
in  them  are  found  many  coins  not  only  important  in  history, 
but  of  the  very  finest  Greek  art,  from  the  third  to  the  first 
century  B.c.  In  this  period  the  Syriac  and  Hebrew  coins 
become  intermingled,  a fact  abundantly  sustained  by  the  Jew- 
ish shekel  of  Simon  Maccabees.  The  legend  of  this  inter- 
esting relic  is  in  the  language  of  Samaria ; on  one  side  the 
budding  rod  of  Aaron,  legend,  “Jerusalem  the  Holy;”  on 
the  other,  a cup  of  incense  or  pot  of  manna,  and  the  inscrip- 
tion, “ Shekel  of  Israel.”  This  shekel  is  well  preserved,  and 
is  one  of  the  most  prized  coins  known.  (See  Plate  and  Case 
XV.,  marked  “ Selections .”  In  this  collection  are  some  coins 
from  Bactria,  considered  priceless  by  savans.  These  are  tro- 
phies of  recent  British  explorations,  and  are  judged  to  be  of 
sufficient  importance  to  call  forth  from  an  English  professor 
an  extended  treatise  on  the  “Antiquities  and  Coins  of  Afghan- 
istan.” They  are  exceedingly  rude  in  workmanship,  and 
nearly  all  of  baser  metal,  the  most  important  being  a small, 
square,  brass  coin,  in  the  case  marked  “ Selections .” 

Homan  Coins. 

The  collection  of  Roman  coins  in  this  Cabinet  numbers: 
nearly  one  thousand,  and  an  acquaintance  with  it  is  invaluable 
for  object  teaching,  as  in  it  is  the  condensed  history,  not  onlj 
of  the  glory  of  Rome,  “Mistress  of  the  World,”  but  of  her  cus- 
toms, faith,  conquests,  wealth,  culture,  divisions,  and  downfall. 
Through  this  entire  section  of  time — one-third  of  the  known 
history  of  the  world — Roman  art,  though  high,  never  reached 
the  exalted  purity  of  Greek  lines.  In  their  finest  coins  we  see 
no  Phidias,  no  Myron,  no  Praxiteles,  but  they  deteriorate  and 
fluctuate  visibly  when  in  or  out  of  contact  with  the  influence 
of  the  Grecian  mind. 

Greek  Republic 

will  be  first  in  interest,  both  historic  and  artistic.  It  is  con- 
ceded that  to  the  Greeks  the  world  owes  the  introduction  of 
the  art  of  coinage,  and  though  centuries  numbered  by  tens 
have  passed,  some  of  the  old  Greek  coins  equal  many  modern 
productions  in  purity  of  lines,  and  surpass  nearly  all  in  poetic 


tAIE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


47 


sentiment.  On  the  first  coins  no  earthly  potentate  was 
allowed  to  be  pictured,  no  deed  of  heroism  portrayed.  The 
glory  of  the  gods  was  considered  the  only  appropriate  theme 
for  impressions  on  the  surface  of  bronze,  silver,  and  gold. 
The  coins  of  the  republic  embrace  a large  variety,  as  nearly  a 
thousand  towns  were  allowed  the  privilege  of  coinage.  Upon 
this  varied  issue  are  preserved  nearly  all  the  legends  of  Greek 
mythology.  Upon  the  coins  are  the  heads  of  Jupiter,  Juno, 
Minerva,  Bacchus,  Apollo,  and  Diana,  with  many  sacred 
animals,  and  the  work  is  to-day  the  standard  of  artistic  per- 
fection. Of  course,  the  collection  of  this  ancient  period  can- 
not be  extensive.  In  this  case  there  are,  however,  more  than 
one  hundred  and  fifty  specimens,  and  these  present  a study 
so  attractive  and  so  intense  that  it  is  almost  impossible  to 
imagine  what  classic  poetry  wrould  be  without  it. 

Nos.  4,  5,  and  6,  are  silver  coins  of  .ZEgina,  which  have  on 
the  obverse,  for  a device,  the  tortoise,  emblematic  of  the  se- 
curity of  the  island  amid  the  waves,  and  the  protection  of  the 
gods  of  the  sea.  On  the  reverse  are  the  marks  of  the  punches 
only,  probably  denoting  the  value  of  the  coins.  These  are 
claimed  to  belong  to  an  era  seven  hundred  years  before  Christ. 
No.  28  is  a silver  coin  of  Athens,  with  a head  of  Minerva 
splendidly  drawn  upon  the  obverse,  while  the  reverse  presents 
a large  owl,  the  bird  sacred  to  the  goddess  of  Wisdom.  The 
devices  upon  this  coin  indicate  its  age  to  be  from  twenty-one 
to  twenty-three  centuries.  The  Greek  proverb  of  “taking 
owls  to  Athens”  referred  to  this  coin,  which  was  necessarily 
Af  great  importance  to  the  tradespeople  of  that  city. 

Family  Coins. 

These  comprise  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five,  of 
which  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  are  in  the  collection. 
They  were  struck  to  record  the  heroic  deeds  which  first  intro- 
duced any  notable  ancestor  to  fame,  and  hence  are  to-day 
family  charts  of  respectability  for  many  of  the  patricians  of 
Rome,  albeit  some  of  them  have  plebeian  roots.  Be  that  as 
it  may,  they  are  as  much  the  trusted  patents  of  aristocracy  as 
is  the  “Book  of  the  Peerage”  of  England.  Here  are  found 
the  same  distinctions  between  patrician  and  plebeian  which 
mark  all  countries,  the  patricians  being  always  designated  by 
a symbol  of  warfare,  while  the  plebeians  were  indicated  by 
the  tools  and  instruments  of  common  trade.  The  more  no- 
ticeable of  the  coins  are  as  follows:  No.  16,  Acilia;  the  re- 
verse a female  leaning  against  a pillar,  with  a serpent 
clutched  in  her  right  hand,  indicating  the  wisdom  or  courag* 


48 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OE 


of  some  ancestor.  No.  20,  iEmilia;  on  the  obverse  of  this 
curious  coin  is  a figure  kneeling  by  the  side  of  a camel,  pre- 
senting an  olive  branch,  from  which  depends  a fillet  or  ancient 
diadem;  on  the  reverse,  a figure  guiding  a triumphal  chariot,, 
a scorpion  in  the  field.  Josephus  tells  us  of  an  invasion  of 
Arabia,  and  that  Aretus,  the  king  of  the  country,  purchased 
peace  of  the  Romans  for  five  hundred  talents.  The  diadem 
hanging*  from  the  olive  branch  chronicles  the  entire  humilia- 
tion  of  Aretus,  and  the  scorpion  doubtless  indicates  the  month 
of  the  Roman  triumph.  No.  30,  Aquillia,  a small  silver 
coin ; the  reverse  shows  a woman  kneeling  before  a soldier. 
The  motto  below  the  figures  (or  in  the  exergue  of  the  coin,  a& 
is  the  art  term)  is  uSicil .”  This  commemorates  the  suppres- 
sion of  a revolt  of  slaves  in  Sicily,  which  was  achieved  by 
Manlius  Aquillia.  No.  41,  Calpurnia,  the  family  of  Caesar's* 
noble  wife ; reverse,  a horseman  riding  at  full  speed,  a head 
of  wheat  above  him;  legend,  L.  Piso-Trugi.  The  coin  recalls- 
the  fact  that  in  the  year  50T  B.  c.  there  was  a famine  in 
Rome,  and  Calpurnius  Piso  was  dispatched  to  Africa  to  buy 
corn.  This  seemingly  small  service  is  magnified  upon  a large 
number  of  coins.  Nos.  95  and  96,  Hostilia,  a coin  with  a 
sacrifice  to  Pallor  and  Pavor  (fear  and  trembling),  offered  by 
Tullus  Hostilius  in  some  great  emergency.  No.  97,  Julia;, 
obverse,  a helmeted  head;  legend,  Caesar;  reverse,  a warrior 
in  a chariot  drawn  by  two  horses. 

No.  98,  Junia;  obverse,  head  of  Liberty;  reverse,  Junius- 
Brutus  guarded  by  lictors,  and  preceded  by  a herald,  showing, 
that  an  ancestor  of  Junius  Brutus  was  the  first  consul  of 
Rome.  Nos.  181,  ,182,  Tituria.  The  reverse  shows  two  sol- 
diers throwing  their  shields  upon  a prostrate  female,  illustrat- 
ing the  famous  story  of  the  “ Tarpeian  Rock.”  Reverse  rep- 
resents the  Romans  carrying  off  Sabine  women — a witness  in 
coin  of  the  fact  that  the  family  of  Tituria  trace  their  ancestry 
from  the  Sabines.  To  do  justice  to  this  case  is  impossible,  for 
here  are  coins  relating  to  the  ancestors  of  Antonia,  Aurelia, 
Cornelia,  Fulvia,  Horatio,  Lucretia,  Lucilla,  Sempronia,  Titia 
Valeria,  and  many  others  familiar  to  the  readers  of  history. 

This  era  of  coins  terminated  about  the  time  of  the  birth  of 
Christ,  when  the 

Imperial  Coins 

were  introduced.  In  noticing  these,  little  save  the  labels  on 
the  case  can  be  given. 

Division  II. 

Julius  Caesar  to  Trajan,  inclusive.  Beginning  49  B.  c.,  and 
ending  117  a.d.  A simple  catalogue  of  the  illustrious  names 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


4& 


on  these  coins  would  convey  an  idea  of  their  importance.  All 
the  victories  of  Caesar  are  marked  by  coinage  ; but  out  of  the 
two  hundred  belonging  to  this  case  reference  need  only  be 
made  to  Ho.  24,  a beautiful  gold  coin,  with  the  undraped  head 
of  Augustus,  exquisitely  severe,  the  interest  attaching  chiefly 
to  the  legend,  “ The  Son  of  God,”  referring  to  the  deification 
of  Caesar. 

Division  III. 

embraces  from  Hadrian  to  Elagabalus,  117-222.  In  the  reign 
of  Hadrian  much  coin  was  issued,  though  it  did  not  hear  marks 
of  the  disasters  and  revolts  that  signalized  the  foregoing.  That 
he  was  a merciful  ruler  is  indicated  by  the  coins,  especially 
one — Hispania ; the  reverse  showing  the  emperor  raising 
Spain — a female  figure — from  the  ground.  His  travels  are 
also  illustrated  in  coin. 

Division  IV. 

From  Severus  Alexander  to  Claudius  Gothicus,  222-270. 
These  coins  indicate  the  vicious  effect  of  the  rulers  immediately 
preceding. 

Division  V. 

From  Aurelian  to  the  end  of  the  Western  Empire ; includes 
270—475.  A brilliant  succession ; Aurelian’s  busy  reign,, 
ending  in  assassination ; the  war-like  Probus,  the  slave-em- 
peror ; Diocletian’s  despotism  and  vindictive  persecution  of 
Christians ; the  usurpation  of  Carausius  ; the  happy  reign  of 
Constantine  the  Great,  Julian,  Theodosius,  down  to  Julius* 
Nepos.  These  are  a few  of  the  historic  names  and  events- 
presented  in  this  division. 

Division  VI. 

covers  the  period  of  the  Byzantine  or  Eastern  Empire,  and  a 
lapse  of  eight  centuries ; but  the  coinage  is  not  comparable 
flrith  that  of  other  eras,  nor  were  events  of  so  stirring  and 
heroic  a character.  A general  decay,  painful  to  contemplate, 
marked  this  long  lapse  of  time,  which  began  near  the  accept- 
ance of  Christianity,  and  extended  through  the  dark  ages. 

“ The  Temple  Sweepers.” 

A small  case  attracts  no  little  attention,  because  it  contains 
a single  coin  ; and  the  interest  does  not  decrease  when  the  in- 
scription is  read : “ Struck  in  the  Philadelphia  Mint,  at  least 
two  thousand  years  ago.  ” The  late  Assay er  of  the  Philadelphia 


50 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Mint,  Mr.  W.  E.  Du  Bois,  under  title  of  “ The  Temple  Sweep- 
ers,” wrote,  not  long  since,  a valuable  sketch  of  this  coin,  made 
in  the  City  of  Attalus  Philadelphus,  Asia  Minor,  and  for  which 
William  Penn  called  his  city,  because  the  ancient  one  was  a 
monument  of  “ brotherly  love.”  Diana  was  the  patroness  of 
Philadelphia. 

u On  one  side,  then,  we  have  a head ; not  a king’s  nor  an 
emperor’s ; as  yet  the  free  city  had  a pride  and  a privilege 
above  that.  It  is  a female  head,  an  ideal,  representing  the 
eity  itself ; or  rather  the  dwellers  in  it,  the  Demos.  Here  in 
this  head  and  title,  we  have  the  radix  of  Democracy. 

“ This  is  all  we  can  gather  from  the  obverse.  On  the  other 
side  we  have  a larger  variety : a running  female  figure  ; a dog 
also  on  the  trot ; a legend  of  some  length  and  of  more  signifi- 
cance. 

“ The  half-clad  figure  is  that  of  the  goddess  known  to  the 
Greeks  as  Artemis,  to  the  Latins  as  Diana ; and  otherwise 
called  Selene,  Phoebe,  Delia,  or  Cynthia. 

“ She  was  the  favorite  divinity  of  the  cities  of  Asia  Minor. 
Once  the  patroness  of  chastity  and  purity.  Goddess  of  the 
chase.” 

The  legend  on  the  obverse  of  this  coin  explains  its  name : 
Friends  of  Philadelphia’s  [her]  Temple  Sweepers.” 

ORIENTAL. 

Oriental  coins  are  not  as  attractive  as  other  varieties,  though 
there  are  special  coins  among  them  which  have  no  rival  in  his- 
toric importance.  Antique  coins  from  the  East  were  usually 
without  device,  and,  their  legends  being  rudely  inscribed  in  a 
dead  language,  proved  frequently  to  be  sealed  fountains  to  the 
thirsting  antiquarian.  Therefore  in  cases  marked  “ Oriental” 
the  visitor  is  undetermined  where  to  begin  to  study,  and  often 
•decides  to  give  it  but  little  time. 

Those  having  for  device  the  sacred  peacock  are  from  Bur- 
mah ; there  is,  however,  in  the  division  marked  u Selections” 
a very  curious  coin  belonging  to  that  country,  which  certainly 
formed  a part  of  its  earliest  currency.  It  is  a common  gravel- 
stone,  encased  in  a circling  band  of  brass. 

Coins  of  Siam. 

The  coins  of  Siam  are  much  sought  for.  Some  of  them,  known 
to  European  travelers  as  “ bullet  money,”  are  lumps  of  gold  or 
silver,  hammered  by  rude  implements  into  a doubtful  round- 
ness,  and  a few  Siamese  characters  stamped  irregularly  upon 


THE  EXITED  STATES  MINT. 


51 


«6em.  The  sacred  elephant  is  found  on  a large  proportion  of 
their  money.  A Siamese  coin  in  the  Cabinet,  of  modern  date, 
is  quite  handsome  in  both  workmanship  and  design.  On  the 
obverse  is  the  sacred  elephant  in  ponderous  proportion,  which 
delights  the  eyes  of  the  devout,  and  the  reverse  presents  a 
group  of  three  pagodas,  finely  drawn.  In  the  case  marked 
44  Selections”  is  a Siamese  coin  of  gold,  comparatively  modem, 
called  44  Tecal,”  corresponding  in  some  respects  to  the  u Shekel,” 
ar  44  Oxen,”  of  biblical  fame. 

Chinese  Coins. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  first  section  is  a case  of  seven  hun- 
dred coins  of  the  Celestial  Empire.  With  but  few  exceptions 
these  coins  are  bronzed.  Dynasty  succeeds  dynasty  ; usurpa- 
tion, insurrection,  are  all  writ  in  bronze.  The  Chinese  assert 
an  uninterrupted  coinage  for  forty-one  centuries.  The  manu- 
script attesting  this  is  in  the  case,  and  was  prepared  under  au- 
thority. Large  numbers  of  their  coins  were  considered  charms, 
sufficient  to  protect  the  owner  against  fever,  or  even  the  more 
dreaded  horrors  of  spiritual  menace.  In  this  connection  it 
may  be  said  that  the  Chinese  had  an  exalted  reverence  for  the 
coin-charm,  and  a small  coin  was  often  placed  in  the  mouth  of 
the  dead  (now,  if  a Chinaman  dies  in  California,  a small  silver 
United  States  coin  is  placed  on  his  tongue).  These  coins 
xvere  covered  with  cabalistic  characters,  symbolic  animals, 
birds,  etc.  Two  worthy  of  notice  in  this  regard,  and  said  to 
be  of  the  oldest  issue,  are  Nos.  1 and  2.  The  first  might  be 
mistaken  for  an  iron  safe' key;  the  second  is  known  as  the 
“razor  coin,”  its  form  and  almost  its  size  being  that  of  a 
Tazor. 

In  another  case,  appropriately  labeled,  is  the  Chinese  por- 
celain money.”  They  are  the  only  people  who  have  made 
porcelain  a 44  legal  tender,”  though  it  would  appear  that  almost 
every  part  of  the  three  kingdoms  of  nature  has  been  laid  under 
contribution.  The  specimen  here  may  be  mistaken  for  the 
popular  Chinese  sleeve-button,  bought  in  any  bazaar  for  a few 
cents.  The  Chinese,  as  did  also  the  Afrtcans,  utilized  the 
small  sea-shells  for  trade.  In  the  same  case  are  some  of  the 
variety  legalized.  Ten  small  shells  made  one  44  cash.”  This 
is  a small,  round,  copper-bronzed  coin,  with  a square  hole  in 
the  centre.  The  Chinese  dames  of  high  degree  wore  such 
strung  around  their  throats.  One  thousand  of  them  are  equal 
to  our  dollar.  The  Japanese,  however,  outcount  their  neigh- 
bors, as  they  have  a bronze  coin  called  the  44  One-hundredth,” 
of  which  just  seven  thousand  make  one  Spanish  dollar. 


52 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Shell  money  of  pure  gold,  “or  gold  beaten  into  small  solid 
shells,  was  made  by  those  natives  who  supplied  the  Portuguese 
slave-traders  with  slaves,’*  and  was  called  by  the  traders 
“Spondylus  Macutus,”  from  which,  some  contend,  came  the 
slang  term  “spondulics.”  Forty  of  those  small  coins,  each 
worth  about  a dollar  of  Spanish  money,  was  a high  price  for 
a slave. 

There  is  also  in  the  Cabinet  a valuable  collection  of  African 
ring  money.  These  ornaments  are  very  massive  and  pure, 
comprised  of  elaborately  carved  “signet-rings,  armlets,  ank- 
lets,” etc.  One  article,  more  novel  and  valuable  than  tho 
others,  is  a pipe  of  fine  gold,  bowl  and  handle  of  curious  bas- 
relief  figures,  and  a heavy,  square-linked  chain  attaching  a largo 
medallion,  on  which  is  the  head  of  a monarch  poorly  drawn. 

The  Chinese  government,  like  all  despotisms,  is  very  jealous 
of  its  coining  prerogatives;  yet  it  does  not  fail  to  appreciate 
an  advantage  when  offered,  as  is  evident  to  us  by  the  following: 
Proclamation  for  general  information : 

“Whereas,  The  foreign  silver  (coin)  in  daily  use  among 
the  people  of  the  Kwang  Tung  Provinces  has  long  been  in 
circulation,  and  is  moreover  admitted  to  be  advantageous  and 
convenient.  In  the  5th  and  11th  years  of  Tung  Chih  (1866 
and  18T2)  the  Hong  Kong  Mint  coined  a new  Dollar  which, 
upon  comparison  with  pure  silver,  bore  a proportion  of  fully 
ninety  per  cent.,  and  as  the  Records  will  prove.  Proclama- 
tions were  issued  notifying  the  people  that  it  might  come  into 
general  circulation.  There  has  lately  come  to  Hong  Kong  a 
newly  coined  American  Eagle  Dollar,  called  the  “ Trade 
Dollar,”  and  Sir  Brooke  Robinson,  the  British  Consul,  having 
requested  that  officers  might  be  appointed  to  assay  it,  the 
Viceroy  and  Haikwan  thereupon  appointed  officers  to  melt  it 
down  and  assay  it,  in  concert  with  (an  officer  from  the  British 
Consulate),  when,  taking  the  Haikwan  Tael  of  pure  silver  as 
the  standard,  an  outturn  was  obtained  of  fully  89.  61 — or 

Taels  111.6  of  this  new  Eagle  Dollar  are  equal  to  100 
Haikwan  Taels  of  pure  silver.  Minutes  of  the  assay  were 
drawn  up  in  proof  thereof. 

“For  the  convenience  of  Traders  and  people,  therefore,  this 
coin  should  be  allowed  to  be  tendered  in  payment  of  duties  at 
the  rate  of  touch  obtained  at  the  assay,  and  to  come  into  daily 
circulation.  It  becomes  the  duty  then  of  the  Viceroy  and  his 
colleagues  to  issue  a Proclamation  on  the  subject  for  general 
information. 

“This  Proclamation,  therefore,  is  for  the  information  of 
you  merchants,  traders,  soldiers,  and  people  of  every  district 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


53 


You  must  know  that  the  ‘Eagle  Trade  Dollar’  that  has  lately 
come  to  Hong  Kong  has  been  jointly  assayed  by  officers 
specially  appointed  for  the  purpose,  and  it  can  be  taken  in 
payment  of  duties,  and  come  into  general  circulation.  You 
must  not  look  upon  it  with  suspicion.  At  the  same  time 
rogues,  sharpers,  and  the  like,  are  hereby  strictly  forbidden  to 
fabricate  spurious  imitations  of  this  new  Eagle  Dollar,  with  a 
view  to  their  own  profit. 

“ And  should  they  dare  to  set  this  prohibition  at  defiance, 
and  fabricate  false  coin,  they  shall,  upon  discovery,  most 
assuredly  be  arrested  and  punished.  Let  every  one  obey  with 
trembling ! Let  there  be  no  disobedience ! 

“A  Special  Proclamation.  Tung  Chih  12th  year,  9th 
moon — day  (October,  1873.) 

“ Translated  by 

“ (Signed)  WALTER  C.  HILLIER.” 

Japan. 

Perhaps  the  peculiar  adaptability  of  the  Japanese  character 
cannot  be  better  illustrated  than  by  their  late  monetary  revo- 
lution, especially  as  their  coinage  is  hedged  around  with  laws, 
with  penal  attachments  of  no  doubtful  character.  In  the 
small  morocco  case  marked  “Japan”  are  a few  specimens  of 
their  original  coin.  Of  this  series  the  large  gold  plate,  four 
inches  by  three  and  a half,  is  known  as  the  “ Gold  Oban,” 
their  most  valuable  coin,  worth  about  seventy-five  dollars. 
This  coin  is  of  perfectly  smooth  surface,  with  an  elaborate 
black  inscription  of  Japanese  text,  burnt  in  by  a chemical 
process.  To  take  the  “Gold  Oban”  out  of  the  kingdom  is 
punishable  with  death;  to  remove  it  by  mistake,  subjects  the 
offender  to  imprisonment  for  life.  The  other  coins  in  this  case 
are,  in  their  composition  and  shape,  as  distinctive  as  the  Japan- 
ese are  peculiar  as  a people.  The  progressive  character  of  the 
Japanese  is  exemplified  by  their  recent  acceptance  of  the 
United  States  system  of  coinage. 

The  mind  of  the  Japanese  proletaire  has  been  much  troubled 
in  recent  years  with  regard  to  the  coinage  of  his  country ; not 
that  he  ever  has  much  of  the  currency  in  question,  but  the 
Japanese  proletaire  has  no  pockets,  and  he  finds  it  awkward  to 
earry  in  his  hands  such  coins  as  he  contrives  to  possess.  In 
ancient  times  his  rulers  were  more  considerate.  They  punched 
square  holes  in  the  centre  of  the  coins,  through  which  he 
passed  a string,  and  was  thus  able  to  carry  about  his  available 
•capital  ued  around  his  neck  or  to  his  waistband,  which  in  those 


54 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


days  was  his  sole  garment.  The  coins  were  not  large  in  amount  £ 
it  took  a thousand  of  them  to  make  a few  shillings,  while  a 
cart  was  required  to  convey  five  dollars  worth.  But  with 
civilization  came  an  improved  coinage,  larger  in  value,  and 
with  no  holes,  and  the  pocketless  proletaire  naturally  grumbled 
that  civilization  treated  him  hardly  in  this  respect.  Paper 
currency  for  small  amounts  partially  satisfied  him  for  a time; 
but  at  last  his  cries  have  been  heard,  and  the  Japanese  Govern- 
ment has  promised  to  issue  a new  coin  specially  for  his  behoof. 
Its  value  is  rather  less  than  one  cent,  and  is  to  possess  the  in- 
dispensable hole,  by  which  he  can  string  it  as  a child  strings 
beads,  and  he  is  probably  content. 

Turkey. 

Turkish  coins  often  bear  texts  from  the  Koran  on  either 
side,  so  it  may  be  said  the  tenets  of  their  religion  are  their 
circulating  medium.  The  piastres  in  this  collection  are  gen- 
erally those  now  in  circulation. 

Egypt. 

Egypt’s  antique  coins  were  of  Greek  or  Homan  workman- 
ship, of  which  the  very  finest  is  in  the  case  marked  u Selec- 
tions,” and  has  not  its  superior  for  interest  or  beauty  in  the 
world.  It  was  the  work  of  some  Greek  artist,  and  presents 
the  head  of  Arsinoe,  wife  of  Ptolemy.  It  was  found  in  1868,. 
and  bought  by  the  United  States  Government  at  a high  price:. 
but  as  only  three  had  been  found,  its  market  value  may  be 
named  by  thousands,  though  its  metal  value  is  not  more  than 
twenty  dollars. 

This  notice  of  Oriental  coins  may  conclude  with  suggestive 
reference  to  the  “ Cufic  coins,”  of  which  there  are  some  valua- 
ble specimens.  The  first  is  the  silver  dirhem  of  Walid,  the 
eccentric  caliph  of  Damascus,  A.  D.  713.  There  is  also  in  case 
XV.  a coin  of  the  reign  of  Haroun  Alraschid. 

French  Coinage. 

The  French  have  the  credit  of  making  the  greatest  improve- 
ments in  modern  coinage.  The  French  coins  are  a history  of 
that  nation,  from  the  small  coin  issued  in  the  reign  of  Louis 
“the  Meek”  to  the  last  currency  of  the  republic  of  France, 
spanning  a period  of  one  thousand  years. 

In  design  and  execution  the  French  coins  bear  the  impress 
of  the  national  character,  and  also  give  assurance  of  the  art 
patronage  in  which  her  rulers,  failing  in  much,  have  never- 
wavered,  but  brought  all  their  power  and  cunning  to  bear  oa 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


55 


securing  the  best  artists,  as  in  the  instance  of  Francis  I.  beguil- 
ing from  the  holy  father  that  exquisite  artist  Benvenuto 
Cellini,  or  the  later  enterprise  of  Napoleon  Bonaparte.  No. 
83, — a medalet  of  the  unhappy  Marie  Antoinette, — which  is 
in  itself  very  beautiful,  and  from  its  tragic  association  attracts 
general  interest. 

Germany. 

The  collection  of  Germany  is  very  large  and  divided  and 
sub-divided  by  its  kingdoms  and  principalities. 

One  of  the  most  interesting  coins  of  any  age,  and  excelling 
in  beauty  as  well,  is  the  gold  medallic  ducat  on  which  are  the 
heads  of  Martin  Luther  and  Philip  Melanchthon.  This  coin 
is  very  generally  admired  by  visitors  to  the  Cabinet. 

Coins  of  Switzerland. 

Switzerland  is  modestly  represented  in  all  her  cantons,  each, 
like  the  classic  Greek  town,  enjoying  the  coining  privilege. 
There  are  several  pieces  of  commemorative  and  artistic  worth, 
especially  the  two  issues  of  the  republic  of  1796. 

Russian  Coins. 

The  double  rouble,  with  a magnificent  draped  head  of  Peter 
the  Great,  is  unexcelled  for  strength  of  outline,  and  valuable 
as  a correct  portrait  of  one  of  the  very  greatest  and  most  self- 
reliant  of  modern  rulers.  Turning  to  another  rouble,  the 
features  of  Elizabeth  II.  are  recognized.  It  may  be  assumed, 
with  all  due  deference  to  royalty,  that  this  portrayal  is  the 
most  laughter-provoking  figure  ever  stamped  on  metal.  She 
is  so  fat  as  to  have  the  effect  of  44  spreading  herself”  all  over 
the  coin.  Another  rouble  presents  the  majestic  Catherine  II. 

Of  the  coins  marked  Denmark,  Norway,  Sweden,  there 
can  be  only  the  copper  half-daler  of  Sweden  mentioned.  This 
coin  is  four  inches  square,  weighs  about  twelve  ounces,  and  is 
equivalent  to  a United  States  silver  half-dollar.  The  daler  of 
Sweden,  thaler  of  Germany,  dollar  of  Spain  and  America,  are 
all  synonymous  terms. 

England. 

The  first  coins  of  Great  Britain  were  of  tin,  according  to 
Caesar’s  authority,  who  mentions  the  44  tin  money  of  Britain,” 
which  has  lately  been  sustained  by  the  discovery,  in  some  work 
of  excavation,  of  coins  of  that  metal  in  antique  design.  These 
coins  are,  however,  of  little  use,  by  reason  of  the  obscure  in- 
scription, or  rather  the  frequent  absence  of  all  device. 

The  English  collection  in  the  Cabinet  begins  with  a coin 
made  after  the  stater  of  Greece,  presenting  the  head  of  Minerva, 


56 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


with  Greek  helmet  on  obverse,  while  the  reverse  gives  the 
figure  of  a woman  most  crudely  drawn.  It  is  supposed  this 
rude  attempt  at  art  was  coined  about  the  time  of  the  Roman 
invasion.  Note  the  contrast  presented  in  placing  this  relic  by 
the  side  of  the  Victorian  sovereign,  where,  on  the  obverse,  is 
the  queen’s  head  superbly  cut;  on  the  reverse,  Wyon’s  inimita- 
ble figure  of  Una  and  the  Lion.  These  two  coins  are  the 
Alpha  and  the  Omega  of  British  coinage,  while  the  thou- 
sands issued  between  them  are  progressive  links  to  civilization. 

Two  small  coins  are  placed  here,  thought  to  be  contempo- 
rary with  the  Christian  era,  having  no  device,  but  an  attempt 
to  portray  the  sun  on  one  side.  No.  2 is  the  skeattae  of 
Ethelbert  I,  king  of  Saxony,  and  is  the  first  Saxon  coin  which 
has  yet  been  appropriated.  It  bears  upon  the  obverse  the 
head  of  the  king;  on  the  reverse  is  the  figure  of  a bird. 

Next  in  interest  is  No.  6,  the  penny  of  William  the  Con- 
queror. The  bust  of  that  famous  monarch  is  attempted; 
1068  is  about  the  year  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  made. 
During  the  three  centuries  following,  the  condition  of  England, 
whether  she  was  at  peace  or  war,  is  plainly  indicated  by  her  coin- 
age. Every  added  province  is  memorialized  in  coin.  The 
rose,  thistle,  and  fleur-de-lis,  all  tell  in  strange  language  for 
flowers  of  bloody  battles,  long  sieges,  perils  by  the  sea  and 
land;  at  last  all  resistance  bowing  before  the  ever-increasing 
power  of  Great  Britain. 

The  first  coin  of  English  issue  was  dated  in  1558,  being 
either  the  close  of  Edward  VI.’s  or  the  beginning  of  Queen 
Mary’s  reign.  This  is  claimed  by  many  to  be  the  first  coin 
dated,  though  old  medals  of  the  preceding  century  have  been 
found  with  date. 

In  1558,  the  ryal  or  royal  of  Queen  Elizabeth  was  issued. 
On  the  obverse  the  queen  is  grandly  enthroned,  while  the 
reverse  is  a large  rose,  in  the  centre  of  which  are  the  Danish 
arms  of  Britain,  and  the  arms  of  Anjou  quartered.  This 
coin  and  the  pound  sterling  of  Charles  I.  are  in  Case  XV., 
“ Selections.” 

This  pound  sterling  is  one  of  the  famous  “ siege  pieces” 
of  that  unhappy  king, — which  were  often  made  on  the  field 
with  hammer  and  anvil  out  of  the  family  plate  brought  to  the 
closely-pressed  Stuart  by  his  faithful  followers.  It  is  to  be 
regretted  that  so  much  valuable  family  plate  of  no  mean  work- 
manship was  thus  sacrificed.  This  “ siege  piece”  is  the 
largest  silver  coin  known.  The  legend  upon  it,  rudely  in- 
scribed, is,  “Let  God  arise;  let  his  enemies  be  scattered;*' 
above  are  three  fleurs-de-lis,  with  date,  “1642.” 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


57 


In  1684-88,  during  the  short  reign  of  James  II.,  several 
varieties  of  new  coins  were  introduced,  notably,  “Maundy 
Money,”  a small  coin  made  to  be  distributed  by  the  king 
on  “Maundy  Thursday.”  Beggars,  on  that  day,  received 
from  his  majesty  bags  containing  as  many  maundy  pieces  as 
the  king  had  lived  years. 

King  James  II.  also  had  issued  “gun  money.”  This 
variety  was  made  out  of  old  cannon,  after  the  suppression  of 
an  Irish  rebellion.  Though  not  even  giving  a glance  towards 
the  interesting  series  of  Queen  Anne,  it  is  impossible  to  pass 
unnoticed  the  beautiful  bust  of  George  IV.,  by  Chan  trey, 
upon  a pattern  five-sovereign  piece.  This  well-executed  bust 
of  “the  handsomest  man  in  Europe,”  was  said  to  be  the 
means  of  Sir  Francis  Chan  trey  being  knighted.  That  vain 
monarch  was  as  careful  about  how  his  face  would  appear  to 
future  generations  as  was  Alexander  of  Macedon;  and  Chan- 
trey  well  knew  if  he  placed  upon  the  shoulders  of  sixty  years 
the  head  of  forty  years,  he  had  given  the  cabalistic  words 
which  would  be  the  “open  sesame”  to  royal  favor. 

The  gold  sovereign  of  Victoria,  Nos.  183-184,  has,  on  the 
reverse,  an  evidence  of  coins  as  a deposit  of  law  archives. 
The  shield  surrounded  by  a crown,  and  bearing  the  arms  of 
Great  Britian  quartered ; but  the  arms  of  Hanover  are  omitted. 
Although  Victoria  was  next  heir  to  William  IV.,  she  was  pre- 
vented by  the  Salic  law  from  assuming  the  sceptre  of  Hanover. 
On  this  coin,  it  may  be  remembered,  are  very  beautifully  pre- 
sented the  rose,  the  thistle,  and  the  shamrock. 

A recent  addition  has  been  made  to  the  Mint  Cabinet  of  a 
very  fine  sovereign  of  the  times  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  purchased 
at  the  coin  sale  of  May  14  and  15,  1885, 

Scotch  moneys  of  any  variety,  are  very  much  prized  by 
collectors  (see,  in  Case  XV.,  “Selections,”  “Groat  of  Robert 
Bruce,  1602.”)  A very  rare  coin  is  the  penny  of  Robert  II. 
of  Scotland,  said  to  be  the  only  specimen  in  existence  of  that 
monarch’s  reign.  In  the  seventeenth  century  the  coinage  of 
Scotland  merged  into  that  of  England. 

English  Silver  Tokens, 

issued  in  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland.  “During  the  long 
suspension  of  specie  payments,  occasioned  by  the  wars  with 
Napoleon,  the  minor  currency  of  England  was  supplied,  not 
with  small  paper  notes,  but  with  silver  tokens,  issued  by  banks 
and  traders,  and  made  redeemable  in  bank  notes.  They 
were  of  reduced  weight,  to  keep  within  the  premium,  and  to 


58 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OP 


prevent  hoarding.  They  continued  to  circulate  until  the  re- 
turn of  better  times  and  of  regular  silver  coinage.  There- 
were  many  varieties,  most  of  which  are  here. 

Portugal  and  Spain. 

The  coinage  of  Portugal  and  Spain  in  the  fifteenth  century,, 
held  greater  sway  than  that  of  other  countries.  Of  their  coins, 

there  are  many  fine  specimens  in  the  Mint  Cabinet.  The  “ joe- 
and  half-joe*”  of  Portugal  are  known  of  all  nations,  while  the 
Spanish  dollar,  with  its  pretentious  two  globes  under  a crown, 
did  not  claim  too  much,  and  only  tells  the  almost  limitless  rule- 
of  the  great  Philip.  The  coins  of  these  nations  became,  through 
their  possessions  in  the  New  World,  the  circulating  medium  of 
that  portion  of  the  earth.  Spanish  and  Mexican  dollars  were 
almost  synonymous,  while  the  real  and  joe  of  South  America, 
was  patterned  after  that  of  Portugal,  which  fact  can  be  learned 
in  this  Cabinet.  As  nations  decay  it  will  be  seen  their  coins 
become  inevitably  less  trustworthy ; even  a glance  at  the  cases 
marked  “Portugal,”  “Spain,”  will  give  this  lesson.  In  the' 
Mexican  collection  there  are  issues  which  seem  to  contradict 
this  assertion,  for  the  “Mexican  dollar”  has,  for  generations, 
had  a position  in  the  monetary  world  of  almost  unchallenged! 
credit,  yet  not  by  reason  of  the  recognition  given  Mexico,  but 
because  of  the  United  States  using  it  so  extensively ; for,  until 
the  introduction  of  the  “trade  dollar,”  this  country  had  no- 
currency that  would  meet  the  demand  of  the  Oriental  market. 

Mexico. 

The  Mexicans  use  only  gold  and  silver,,  and  their  national 
series  is  full  of  tragic  interest,  embracing,  as  it  does,  three  and 
a half  centuries  of  Mexican  history,  from  Cortez  to  Maximilian. 
The  “pillar  dollar,”  “windmill  dollar,”  “cast  dollar”  (the 
Mexicans  are  the  only  nation  that  cast  money),  and  the  “ cob 
money  ” (a  series  so  called  by  reason  of  its  clumsiness),  are  all 
to  be  seen  in  this  collection. 

Coins  of  Brazil. 

One  coin,  a gold  “ half-joe,”  issued  in  1832,  with  the  infant 
head  of  Dom  Pedro,  is  very  beautiful.  By  the  side  of  this,  in 
every  way  a contrast  to  it,  is  a series  of  copper  coins  of  a late 
issue  with  the  head  of  the  “ child  ” now  seated  on  the  throne. 


* “In  box,  three  pictures  (miniatures),  two  half  joes,  two  small  pieces  of  gold.”  Dec. 
26, 1780.— Martha  Washington.  These  were  sent  to  be  used  in  the  manufacture  of  thtt 
miniature  cases  for  the  above  pictures.  This  letter  is  in  the  possession  of  R.  Coultop 
Davis,  Vh.  G.,  of  this  city. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


59 


The  coins  of  Bolivia  proudly  present  the  bust  of  Simoxn 
Bolivar.  Among  the  West  Indies  are  many  samples  of  “ cut- 
money.  ” The  law  permitting  money  to  be  quartered  had  to 
be  repealed,  because  the  traders  of  the  West  Indies  made  the 
wonderful  mathematical  discovery  that  jive  quarters  make  a 
whole ! 

* * * * * * * 

Leaving  both  the  eastern  and  the  western  world  and  their 
coins,  there  is  a single  piece,  of  small  commercial  valne,  whichi 
is  yet  a light-house  in  mid-ocean.’ ’ This  is  the  one  cent  of  the; 
Sandwich  Islands,  the  only  venture  of  that  kind  made  by  the; 
enterprising  little  kingdom.  The  inscription  is  “ Kamehameba/ 
III.,  one  hundredth,  Hawaii.”  The  name  of  the  king  beingy 
interpreted  signifies  “the  solitary  one,”  which  is  singularly 
well  adapted  to  the  coin. 

Colonial  Coins. 

In  1684,  the  charter  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  Company 
was  revoked,  and  the  governor  recalled  ; one  of  the  alleged 
grievances  by  the  crown  was  a colonial  law  concerning  the 
Mint.  The  currency  used  by  the  colonies  was  chiefly  from 
England,  Spain,  and  Portugal,  but  the  supply  was  limited  from 
these  sources,  and  the  mother-country  was  jealous  of  any  in- 
fringement of  her  prerogative  of  coinage.  There  are  various 
specimens  of  the  “ pine-tree  ” money  of  Massachusetts  in  the 
Cabinet.  Some  doubt  has  arisen  as  to  the  species  of  tree 
intended,  but  it  is  generally  accepted  as  the  emblematic  pine. 
This  is  claimed  to  be  about  the  second  colonial  issue,  a kind  of 
semi-official  coin.  The  first  was  from  the  Bermudas.*  It  is 
a shilling  piece,  stamped  by  one  John  Hall,  silversmith,  of 
the  city  of  Boston,  1652,  who  made  a very  good  speculation  of 
the  privilege.  There  has  lately  been  added  to  the  Cabinet  a six- 
pence of  this  rare  money.  The  work  on  this  species  of  coins  is  so 
exceedingly  simple  as  to  present  little  save  a planchet.  On  the 
obverse,  a double  ring  around  a pine-tree;  legend,  u Massa- 
chusetts in ;”  and  on  the  reverse,  a double  ring  also,  containing 
the  legend,  “New  England  An  Dom.f” 

Charles  II.,  it  appears,  was  easily  deceived  in  regard  to  the 
significance  of  the  “ pine-tree  shilling.”  Sir  Thomas  Temple,, 
a friend  of  the  colonies,  adroitly  presented  one  of  these  ob- 
noxious coins  to  the  irate  monarch,  explaining  that  the  tree 


* This  issue  being  made  at  Sommer  Islands,  gave  the  name  of  “Sommer  money.” 

+ The  old  story  of  the  weighing  of  John  Hall’s  daughter  on  her  marriage-day  is  re- 
called in  seeing  these  coins.  Her  dowry  was  her  weight  in  “ pine-tree”  shillings;  and, 
the  suggestion  is  allowable  that  these  specimens  formed  a part  of  the  portion  of  the, 
Slushing  bride  two  centuries  ago. 


60 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


was  the  “royal  oak”  which  had  saved  his  majesty’s  life* 
Whereupon  the  king,  laughing,  denominated  his  trans- Atlantic 
subjects  “honest  dogs,”  and  allowed  the  coinage  to  proceed. 

During  the  reign  of  George  I.  a new  species  of  coin  was 
issued  from  the  English  Mint,  denomination  half  penny, 
and  it  is  asserted  upon  good  authority  that  this  was  the  only 
issue  ever  authorized  by  the  home  government  for  general  cir- 
culation in  the  colonies.  It  was  a coin  of  mixed  metal,  resem- 
bling brass.  The  head  of  the  king  was  on  the  obverse; 
inscription,  “ Georgius  Rex.”  The  reverse,  a large  double 
rose  under  a crown;  legend,  “Rosa  Americana.”  Upon  a 
scroll,,  “ Utile  Dulci.*  ” 

“Peltry,”  we  learn,  was  one  of  the  principal  articles  of 
currency,  and  was  known  as  “pelt,”  or  Massachusetts  cur- 
rency, and  was  extensively  used  in  trading  between  Indians 
and  whites,  sometimes  called  “Beaver  Money,”  “ Corne, 
Wheate,  Barley,  and  Rye;”  and  a still  more  quaint  currency 
WTas  established,  as  will  be  found  in  an  old  Massachusetts  court 
order,  as  follows  : “ It  is  likewise  ordered  that  muskett  balletts 
of  a full  boare  shall  passe  current  for  a farthing  a peece,  pro - 
vided  that  noe  man  be  compelled  to  take  above  12d.  att  a 
tyme  of  them  ’ 

In  Maryland,  not  only  cattle,  tobacco,  and  other  produce 
was  accepted  as  currency,  but  powder  and  shot  were  also  in- 
cluded. Lord  Baltimore,  in  1660,  sent  over  to  Maryland  the 
“Baltimore”  shilling.  In  the  colonial  case  there  is  a series 
of  these  exceedingly  rare  coins.  They  were  a shilling,  six- 
pence, groats,  and  are  all  of  the  same  design,  differing  only 
in  denomination.  They  were  coined  in  London,  and  compare 
favorably  with  any  minting  of  that  age.  The  bust  of  Lord 
Baltimore  on  the  obverse  is  very  well  cut;  his  name  “Cecil,” 
is  the  legend.  On  the  reverse,  the  coat  of  arms  of  Cecil, 
Lord  Baltimore,  is  given;  this  device  has  been  re-adopted  by 
the  State  of  Maryland.  The  substitution  of  any  legal  tender 
seems  to  be  fraught  with  danger,  and  at  best  is  jealously 
scanned  by  the  people;  and  there  was  trouble  to  put  this  coin 
into  circulation.  The  people,  though  demanding  coin,  did 
not  yield  their  old  currency  of  “ wheat , corn , tobacco , powder , 
and  shot,”  without  a demonstration.  The  Carolinas,  Virginia, 
and  New  Hampshire  all  followed  Maryland  in  the  introduction 
of  a colonial  coinage. 

In  the  interval  of  the  Revolution,  known  as  the  Confed- 
eracy, the  growth  of  the  spirit  of  independence  in  the  people 

* This  is  the  coin  which  caused  such  excitement  and  so  much  feeling  in  Ireland,  and 
which  Dean  Switt  attacked  from  the  pulpit. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


61 


is  plainly  written  on  their  coins,  especially  upon  their  tokens 
or  individual  coins.  We  notice  one  inscription  attributed  to 
Franklin,  uMind  your  business ;”  and  others,  such  as  uGcood 
copper”  “ Cut  your  way  through”  and  like  characteristic  ex- 
pressions. The  “New  York  Doubloon”  was  coined  in  1787, 
value  sixteen  dollars.  This  coin  is  highly  esteemed  by  reason 
of  its  rarity,  and  its  market  value  to-day  is  about  five  hundred 
dollars,  as  only  three  or  four  are  known  to  be  in  existence. 

The  Washington  cent  of  1791  (so-called)  was  not  a coin  of 
the  United  States,  but  was  struck  at  a private  mint  in  Bir- 
mingham, England,  (Boulton’s),  partly,  no  doubt,  to  bespeak 
the  “job,”  and  partly  to  please  Americans  generally. 

It  has  been  said  that  Washington  objected  to  putting  his 
head  on  the  coins,  and  it  may  be  true;  but  it  was  also  objected 
that  no  man’s  head  should  appear  on  the  coin  of  a republic, 
which,  whether  good  doctrine  or  not,  is  still  the  prevailing 
idea.  The  “cent  of  1791”  is  of  two  types,  one  very  rare 
and  costly,  with  a small  eagle.  The  other,  with  a large  eagle, 
is  more  common,  and  perhaps  sells  for  about  five  dollars  at 
a public  coin  sale. 

United  States  Coins. 

The  first  copper  coins  made  by  the  United  States  Mint  were 
one  cent  and  one-half  cent  issues,  of  which  there  were  four 
designs:  1st,  the  “chain  cent;”  2d,  the  “wreath  cent;”  3d, 
the  “flowing  hair;”  and  4th,  the  “liberty  cap,”  which  was 
used  for  a number  of  years.  The  “chain”  device  was  not 
acceptable  to  the  sensitive  American  mind,  and  of  conse- 
quence the  accidental  breaking  of  the  die  was  not  a subject  of 
regret,  but  “quite  the  contrary.”  The  pattern  sections  of 
United  States  coins  are  very  beautiful  and  varied,  especially 
those  in  gold. 

The  Trade  Dollar. 

This  coin  bears  on  the  obverse  a female  figure  seated  on 
bales  of  merchandise,  holding  in  her  left  hand  a scroll  on 
which  is  the  word  “liberty.”  At  her  back  is  a sheaf  of 
wheat;  this  and  the  bales  of  goods  indicate  the  commercial 
character  of  the  coin.  Her  right  hand,  extended,  offers  the 
olive  branch.  On  a scroll  beneath  the  figure  are  the  words 
“In  God  we  trust,”  and  the  date  below,  “1873.”  The  re- 
verse has  a circling  inscription,  “United  States  of  America, 
Trade  Dollar.”  In  the  centre  is  an  eagle,  in  his  claws  three 
arrows  and  a sprig  of  olive.  On  a label  above  are  the  words 
“E  Pluribus  Unum.”  Below,  “420  grains  fine,”  very  beau- 
tiful in  design. 


62 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


History  of  the  Trade  Dollar. 

The  coinage  of  the  Trade  Dollar  was  authorized  by  act  of 
February  12,  1873,  and  was  not  intended  for  circulation  in 
the  United  States,  but  for  export  to  China. 

It  was  designed  to  compete  with  the  Spanish  and  Mexican 
dollar.  That  empire,  having  no  mint  for  the  coinage  of  gold 
or  silver,  depended  upon  foreign  coin  for  its  domestic  circula- 
tion, and  until  the  institution  of  the  Trade  Dollar  the  prin- 
cipal shipments  of  coin  to  China  were  in  the  form  of  Mexican 
dollars. 

The  Trade  Dollar  was  made  a trifle  more  valuable  than  the 
American  and  Mexican  dollar,  thus  not  only  affording  a 
market  for  the  surplus  silver  of  the  mines  of  the  Pacific  Coast, 
but  furnishing  merchants  and  importers  from  China  with  silver 
in  a convenient  form  for  payment  for  commodities,  instead  of 
their  being  obliged  to  purchase  Mexican  dollars  for  that 
purpose. 

When  its  coinage  was  authorized  it  was  inadvertently  made 
a legal  tender  to  amount  of  five  dollars,  but  this  was  repealed 
by  section  2,  Act  of  July  22,  1873. 

Brief  History  of  the  Standard  Silver  Dollar. 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  2,  1792.  Weight, 
416  grains,  standard  silver ; fineness,  892.4 ; equivalent  to 
37 1J  grains  of  fine  silver,  with  44f  grains  alloy  of  pure 
copper. 

Weight  changed,  Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  412J  grains, 
and  fineness  changed  to  900,  preserving  the  same  amount  of 
pure  silver=371J  grains,  with  fo  alloy. 

Coinage  discontinued,  Act  of  February  12,  1873. 

Total  amount  coined,  from  1792  to  1873,  $8,045,838. 

Coinage  revived,  two  million  dollars  per  month  required  to 
be  coined,  and  issue  made  legal  tender  for  all  debts,  public  and 
private,  Act  of  February  28,  1878. 

Total  amount  coined,  February  28,  1878,  to  November  1 
1884,  $184,730,829. 


Pacific  Coast. 

The  semi-official  coins  of  the  Pacific  coast  present  quite  a 
glittering  array  of  monetary  enterprise,  and  signify  the  great 
wealth  and  daring  spirit  of  that  part  of  the  world.  The  fifty- 
dollar  octagon  gold  piece,  issued  in  1851,  is  a very  beautiful 
coin.  “Gold  slugs”  are  novelties;  are  oblong  gold  pieces. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


63 


and  are  valued  at  sixteen  dollars.  The  Utah  coins  also  attract 
attention.  They  are  of  gold,  fine.  The  device  is  an  “all- 
seeing  eye”  and  two  clasped  hands;  reverse,  “ a bee-hive,” 
with  inscription,  “ Holiness  to  the  Lord.”  Some  have  for 
legend,  “G.  S.  L.  C.  P.  G.,”  which  the  initiated  receive  as 
“Great  Salt  Lake  City,  Pure  Gold.” 

The  series  of  the  United  States  coins  is  complete,  and  can 
be  readily  examined.  The  changes  have  been  very  gradual. 
The  motto,  “ In  God  we  trust,”  was  introduced  in  1866. 

There  is  one  specimen  which  illustrates  how  a coin  may  be- 
come famous  without  the  least  premonition,  and  also  is  a witness 
of  the  positive  law  which  protects  and  governs  coinage.  A law 
passed  Congress  in  1849  ordering  twenty-dollar  gold  pieces  to 
be  issued.  One  piece  was  struck.  Something  intervened  to 
delay  the  work,  and  the  year  closed ; then,  of  course,  the  dies 
had  to  be  destroyed,  as  no  more  could  be  lawfully  issued  of 
1849.  The  coin  just  beside  this,  marked  1850,  of  same  value, 
is  not  worth  the  collector’s  consideration,  while  “1849  ” can- 
not to  be  purchased.  It  is  marked  “unique,”  and  is  really 
the  only  one  in  gold.  One  specimen  exists  in  brass. 

Coins  of  the  Southern  Confederacy. 

It  has  been  said  and  repeated  as  a historical  fact  that  the 
Southern  Confederacy  had  no  metallic  currency.  After  a 
lapse  of  eighteen  years  the  following  official  document  from 
the  Confederate  archives  explains  itself,  and  substantiates  the 
fact  that  silver  to  a limited  extent  was  coined  at  the  New  Or- 
leans Mint  by  order  of  the  Confederate  Government,  in  the 
early  days  of  the  rebellion,  and  only  suspended  operations  on 
account  of  the  difficulty  in  obtaining  bullion  for  coinage. 

War  Department, 

Adjutant  General’s  Office, 

Washington,  March  27,  1879. 

Dr.  B.  F.  Taylor, 

New  Orleans , La. 

Dear  Sir  : — The  enclosed  circular  will  explain  to  you  the  nature  of  the 
duties  upon  which  I am  now  engaged ; I would  like  to  have  from  you,* 
from  file  with  confederate  archives,  a letter  stating  when  you  were  apl 
pointed  Chief  Coiner  of  the  Confederate  States  Mint,  instructions  received'! 
•copies  of  the  originals  of  any  official  papers,  sketches,  descriptions,  etc/ 
of  all  the  coins  made,  etc.  This  will  make  a valuable  addition  to  Con-, 
federate  history,  and  I know  no  one  but  you  can  give  it. 

Very  truly  yours, 

MARCUS  J.  WRIGHT. 

New  Orleans,  La.,  April  7, 1879. 

To  Hon.  Marcus  J.  Wright. 

Dear  Sir: — Your  favor  requesting  a statement  of  the  history  of  the 
-New  Orleans  Mint,  in  reference  to  the  coinage  under  the  Confederate 


64 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OP 


Government,  is  received.  That  institution  was  turned  over  "by  the  Stat® 
of  Louisiana,  the  last  of  February,  1861,  to  the  Confederate  States  of 
America,  the  old  officers  being  retained  and  confirmed  by  the  government, 
viz.:  Wm.  A.  Elmore,  Superintendent ; A.  J.  Guy  rot,  Treasurer ; M.  F. 
Bonzano,  M.  D.,  Melter  and  Refiner ; and  Howard  Millspaugh,  Assayer. 
In  the  month  of  April,  orders  were  issued  by  Mr.  Memminger,  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury,  to  the  effect  that  designs  for  half-dollars  should  be  submitted 
to  him  for  approval.  Among  several  sent,  the  one  approved  bore  on  the 
obverse  of  the  coin  a representation  of  the  Goddess  of  Liberty,  surrounded 
by  thirteen  stars,  denoting  the  thirteen  States  from  whence  the  Con- 
federacy sprung,  and  on  the  lower  rim  the  figures,  1861.  On  the  reverse 
there  is  a shield  with  seven  stars,  representing  the  seceding  States ; above 
the  shield  is  a liberty-cap,  and  entwined  around  it  stalks  of  sugar  cane  and 
cotton,  “Confederate  States  of  America.”  The  dies  were  engraved  by  A. 
H.  M.  Peterson,  Engraver  and  Die  Sinker,  who  is  now  living  in  Commer- 
cial Place.  They  were  prepared  for  the  coining  press  by  Conrad  Schmidt, 
foreman  of  the  coining  room  (who  is  still  living),  from  which  four  pieces- 
only  were  struck.  About  this  period  an  order  came  from  the  secretary 
suspending  operations  on  account  of  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  bullion, 
and  the  Mint  was  closed  April  30,  1861. 

Of  the  four  pieces  mentioned,  one  was  sent  to  the  Government,  one  pie* 
sented  to  Prof.  Biddle,  of  the  University  of  Louisiana,  one  sent  to  Dr.  E 
Ames  of  New  Orleans,  the  remaining  one  being  retained  by  myself 
Upon  diligent  inquiry  I am  unable  to  find  but  one  piece  besides  my  own, 
that  being  in  the  possession  of  a Confederate  officer  of  this  city,  who  trams 
mitted  it  to  his  son  as  a souvenir  of  his  father’s  in  the  Confederate  cause. 

So  soon  as  copies  are  made  I will  take  pleasure  in  sending  you  a spec! 
men  for  the  archives  you  represent. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

B.  F.  TAYLOR,  M.  D. 

Formerly  Chief  Coiner  C.  S.  A. 

The  most  notable  and  valuable  silver  coin  is  the  dollar  of 
1804.  It  is  said  that  the  scarcity  of  this  dollar  was  owing  to 
the  sinking  of  a China-bound  vessel  having  on  board  almost  the 
entire  mintage  of  the  1804  dollars  in  lieu  of  the  Spanish  milled 
dollars.  It  is  believed  that  there  are  not  more  than  seven,  pos- 
sibly eight,  genuine  1804  dollars  extant.  The  rarity  of  the 
piece  and  the  almost  fabulous  prices  offered  for  it  are  patent 
facts. 

Sketch  of  the  1804  Dollar.* 

This  coin  among  collectors  is  known  as  the  “king  of  Ameri- 
can rarities.”  But  seven  or  eight  pieces  are  known  to  exist. 
The  1804  dollars  are  of  two  classes,  to  wit : first,  originals, 
which  are  from  but  one  obverse  and  one  reverse  die, — draped 
bust  of  Liberty  facing  right ; the  head  bound  with  a fillet ; hair 
flowing;  6 stars  before  and  7 behind  the  bust  above  LIBERTY, 
tipper  right  hand  star  almost  touching  letter  y ; reverse  her- 
aldic eagle  bearing  on  his  breast  a broad  shield,  in  his  beak  a 
scroll,  inscribed  E Pluribus  Unum;  12  arrows  in  right  talon, 
a branch  of  olive  in  left ; above,  an  arc  of  clouds  from  wing  to. 


* From  Chapman’s  Collection  Catalogue,  May  14-15,  pp.  24-25. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


65 


wing  of  eagle;  in  field  beneath  13  stars ; UNITED  STATES 
OF  AMERICA;  edge  lettered  ONE  HUNDRED  CENTS, 
ONE  DOLLAR  OR  UNIT,  which  are  lightly  struck  in  some 
parts.  The  first  specimen  in  the  Mint  Cabinet  weighs  415.2 
grs. ; second,  Mr.  M.  A.  Stickney  procured  from  the  Mint  in 
1843  in  exchange  for  other  coins;  third,  W.  S.  Appleton 
bought,  at  an  advance  of  $750,  in  1868,  from  E.  Cogan,  who 
purchased  it  from  W.  A.  Lilliendahl,  who  bought  it  at  a sale 
of  collection  of  J.  J.  Mickley,  1867,  for  $750;  fourth,  L.  G. 
Parmelee  bought,  at  sale  of  E.  H.  Sandford’s  collection,  1874, 
for  $700,  who  obtained  it  in  1868  from  an  aged  lady,  who  got 
it  at  the  Mint  many  years  before ; fifth,  W.  B.  Wetmore 
bought  of  Mr.  Parmelee,  1868,  for  $600,  from  sale  of  H.  S. 
Adams’  collection,  1876,  at  $500,  from  sale  of  M.  J.  Cohen’s 
collection,  1875,  at  $325  (in  fair  condition)  ; sixth,  present 
owner  unknown  to  us,  formerly  in  possession  of  collection  of 
Mr.  Robert  C.  Davis,  of  Philadelphia,  and  recently  sold  for 
$1200  ; seventh,  S.  H.  and  H.  Chapman  purchased  October, 
1884,  at  a sale  in  Berlin,  and  resold  to  a Mr.  Scott,  a dealer  in 
coins,  for  $1000  at  their  Philadelphia  sale,  in  May,  1885. 

Restrikes.  There  were  struck  at  the  Mint  in  1858  restrikes 
with  plain  edges,  of  which  three  were  recovered  after  diligent 
search ; two  of  these  were  destroyed  in  the  Mint,  and  the  other 
placed  in  the  Cabinet,  where  it  remains.  The  difference  be- 
tween these  and  the  originals  are  as  follows:  obverse,  the 
original  die  was  re-cut  in  the  word  Liberty,  the  stars  and  date, 
which  made  them  larger  and  deeper,  especially  noticeable  in 
the  stars,  which  are  broadened ; also  in  the  date,  it  making 
the  outline  sharp  and  square,  whereas  in  the  originals  they  are 
somewhat  rounded ; reverse,  not  having  the  original  die,  they 
used  another,  which  differs  in  many  respects,  most  easily  no- 
ticeable in  that  the  A touches  the  eagle’s  claw,  the  OF  much 
nearer  of  the  end  of  eagle’s  wing  than  S in  States  (in  the 
original  it  is  equally  spaced) ; edge,  plain ; weight,  381.5 
grains.  One  specimen  is  in  the  Mint  and  another  in  England, 
—struck  between  1860  and  1869,  as  in  the  latter  year  all  dies 
remaining  were  destroyed,  same  as  the  above,  but  endeavors 
were  made  to  letter  the  edges  in  the  absence  of  a complete 
collar  by  using  pieces  of  collars  which  did  not  contain  all  the 
letters,  but  repeated  some  of  them  several  times.  There  was 
one  of  these  pieces  sold  in  the  Berg  collection  in  1883  for 
$740,  and  showed  all  the  peculiarities  mentioned,  and  its 
weight  was  said  to  be  inaccurate.  The  dies  were  destroyed  in 
the  winter  of  1868-69.  No  counterfeit  dies  of  the  1804  dol- 
lar were  ever  made.  After  the  close  of  each  year  all  dies  am 
now  destroyed. 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


66 


Double  Eagle. 

Among  the  rare  coins  in  the  Cabinet  at  the  Mint  is  a Double 
Eagle.  The  dies  for  this  piece  were  made  in  1849,  and  only 
one  was  struck.  “ Unique  ” and  beyond  price.  There  is  also 
a Quarter  Eagle  of  1842,  and  the  only  one  known  extant  at 
the  Mint. 


SELECTIONS. 

Having  referred  many  times  to  this  case,  it  may  be  as  well 
to  append  the  entire  list  of  its  contents,  as  they,  almost  with- 
out exception,  are  rare,  spanning  the  world  from  remotest 
antiquity  to  the  present  day,  beginning  with  the  gold  Daric  of 
Darius,  and  ending  with  the  twenty-mark  piece  of  Kaiser 
William. 

Greece. 

1.  Four  drachma,  Athens,  b.  c.  500;  2.  Oboloi  of  Athens; 
3.  One-half  obolos,  1 J of  a cent ; 4.  Daric,  Darius,  of  Persia, 
B.  c.  520,  value,  five  dollars  and  fifty  cents;  5.  Silver  Daric; 
6.  Brass  Ob.  Berenice,  B.  c.  284 ; 7.  Ptolemy  and  Berenice, 
copy ; 8.  Maneh  of  Ptolemy  Philadelphus,  b.  c.  284,  value, 
$17.70;  9.  Drachma,  Cyrene,  b.  c.  322;  10.  Coin  of  Syra- 
cuse, copy,  about  B.  c.  300  ; 11.  Silver  coin,  Bactria,  R.  c. 
126 ; 12.  Brass  of  Bactria,  B.  c.  180 ; 13.  Cleopatra,  B.  c. 
30  ; 13a.  Denarius  of  Cleopatra  and  Mark  Antony;  14.  Alex- 
ander the  Great,  B.  c.  36 ; 15.  Philip,  B.  c.  323 ; 16.  Stater 
of  Seleucus;  17.  Alexander  Balas,  b.  c.  150;  18.  Antiochus 
VI ; 19.  Philip,  King  of  Syria,  b.  c.  93. 

Rome. 

20.  Roman  aes,  B.  c.  500 ; 21.  Denarius  of  Augustus,  B.  c. 
31 ; 22.  Tiberius,  A.  D.  14 ; 23.  Simon,  Bar  Cochab,  false 
Christ,  A.  D.  133 ; 24.  Vespasian,  A.  D.  49  ; 25.  Gold  bezants, 
A.  D.  610 ; 26.  Justinian,  a.  d.  527  ; 26a.  Kingdom  of  Cyprus 
and  Jerusalem,  Peter  1,  1361  to  1372,  testoon,  Kingdom  of 
Jerusalem;  2 6b.  Amaury  II.,  1194  to  1205. 

English. 

27.  Gold  of  Britain ; 28.  Carausius,  Roman  Emperor  ( f 
Britain,  A.  D.  287  ; 29.  Penny  of  Ethelbert,  King  of  Kent,  858 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


67 


&.  D. ; 30.  Harold  the  Dane,  A.  D.  1036 ; 31.  William  the 
Oonqueror,  1066,  A.  D. ; 32.  Edward  the  Confessor,  a.  d. 
1041 ; 33.  Robert  the  Bruce,  a.  d.  1306 ; 34.  Elizabeth, 
Double  Ryal,  a.  d.  1558;  35.  James  I,  1603,  Ryal  (30  shil- 
lings) and  sovereign ; 36.  Charles  I,  sovereign ; 37.  Siege 
pound  of  Charles  I,  1642;  37a.  Gold  sovereign  of  Oliver 
Cromwell ; 38.  Crown,  and  half  crown  and  shilling,  Oliver 
Cromwell,  1658;  38a.  Farthing,  Queen  Anne;  39.  George 
XV ; 40.  Coins  of  Australia. 

France. 

41.  Deniers  of  Charlemagne  806 ; 42.  Medalet,  Marie  An- 
toinette ; 43.  Five  francs,  Napoleon  I ; 44.  Gold,  Napoleon  I* 
1851 ; 45.  Five  francs,  Paris  Commune. 

Germany. 

46.  Bracteats;  47.  German  Crown,  Ob.  St.  Stephen;  48. 
Ducat,  Ob.  Luther  and  Melancthon,  1730;  49.  Crown,  Max- 
imilian, A.  D.  1615 ; 50.  Ducat,  Nuremburg ; 51.  Ducat  Ham- 
burg; 52.  Monument,  Bavaria;  53.  King’s  family,  Bavaria ; 
54.  Coins  of  Prussia;  55.  Silver  piece,  Frederick  William 
and  Augusta. 

Spain. 

56.  Ferdinand  and  Isabella;  57.  Charles  II.,  Spain;  58. 
Alphonso,  Spain. 


Italy. 

59.  Silver  of  Venice  under  the  Doges,  twelfth  century; 
60.  Ducat  of  Venice;  61.  Copper  of  San  Marino ; 62.  Silver 
pieoe  of  Lombardy ; 63.  Gold  twenty  lira  piece ; 64.  Swiss 
crown,  ob.  St.  Vincent;  65.  African  shell  money;  66.  African 
Ting  money. 

Oriental. 

67.  Siamese  coins;  68.  Chinese  tael;  69.  Widow’s  mite; 
70.  Jewish  shekel;  70a.  Herod  the  Great,  37  B.  c. ; 705. 
Herod  Archelaus,  4 B.  c. ; 71.  Glass  coin,  Egypt;  72.  Gold 
of  Alnaser,  A.  d.  1222;  73.  Dirhem  of  Mahomet  V.,  A.  D. 
854  ; 74.  Dirhem  of  Walid,  Caliph  of  Damascus,  A.  D.  713; 


68 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OP 


T5.  Haroun  Alraschid,  Koran  text,  806;  76.  Fire  Worship- 
pers, A.  D.  300;  77.  Gold  of  Japan,  1634;  78.  Gravel  stone 
of  Burmah;  79.  Late  coin  of  Turkey;  80.  Mexican  dollar 
used  in  China;  81.  Coin  of  Cochin  China. 

The  most  notable  coin  in  this  case,  and  perhaps  the  most 
celebrated  coin  in  the  world,  is  the  “ Widow’s  Mite.”  Its 
name  bespeaks  its  commercial  insignificance.  Yet  visitors  every 
day,  upon  entering  the  Cabinet  of  the  Mint,  ask  first  to  see  the 
“Widow’s  Mite.” 

The  following  letter  from  Wm.  E.  Du  Bois,  will  be  found  of 
interest  to  the  reader. 

THE  WIDOW’S  MITE. 

Sir:  The  curators  of  the  mint  cabinet  do  not  consent  to  the  intimation 
in  a statement  recently  made  that  their  widow’s  mite  is  not  the  real  coin. 

The  expression  of  a doubt  as  to  any  received  fact  is  thought  to  be  a sign 
of  superior  insight.  Hence  we  have  so  much  “destructive  criticism,”  a 
good  deal  of  it  being  fatal  to  the  critio  himself. 

The  widow’s  mite  in  our  showcase  of  specialties,  always  attracting  much 
attention,  is  precisely  what  the  Scriptures  speak  of — a lepton , the  smallest 
of  Greek  and  Syriac  coins.  The  name  comes  from  leptos,  very  small.  The 
word  “mite”  is  English,  and  was  formerly  a weight  representing  the 
twentieth  part  of  a grain,  but  has  long  fallen  into  disuse.  It  was  employed 
in  the  translation  of  the  New  Testament  to  represent  the  word  lepton,  sim- 
ply because  it  was  so  very  small. 

It  is  pretty  certain  that  there  was  no  Jewish  or  Hebrew  coin  so  small  as 
the  lepton;  that  people  depended  very  much  upon  outside  coins  for  their 
circulation.  Even  their  money  terms  had  changed  to  those  of  the  Syrian- 
Greek  Empire  and  of  Rome,  as  we  see  from  all  the  instances  in  the  New 
Testament.  What  few  copper  or  bronze  pieces  they  had,  struck  by  local 
princes  for  a limited  time,  and  now  very  rare,  were  large  enough  to  bear  a 
show  of  devices  and  inscriptions,  for  which  the  lepton  was  too  minute.  The 
one  in  our  cabinet  has  a diameter  of  only  three-tenths  of  an  inch,  and 
weighs  but  ten  grains.  On  one  side  nothing  is  discernible,  on  the  other  a 
mint  monogram,  such  as  were  common  in  that  era,  occupies  the  space.  It 
is  much  like  the  letter  x,  with  a line  crossing  it  near  the  top.  Whether  it 
is  Samaritan,  or  Syriac,  or  Greek,  we  cannot  be  sure;  nor  is  it  of  any  con- 
sequence. It  is  enough  to  show  that  it  is  a coin,  and  belongs  to  the  age 
shortly  before  and  after  the  advent  of  Christ,  and  its  size  proves  it  to  be  a 
lepton. 

It  is  an  interesting  and  confirmatory  fact,  that  this  piece  was  found 
among  the  rubbish  of  the  Temple  grounds,  by  Dr.  Barclay,  long  resident 
in  Jerusalem,  and  author  of  “The  City  of  the  Great  King.”  By  him  it  was 
presented  to  the  mint  cabinet.  The  objector  may  soberly  doubt  whether 
this  was  one  of  the  identical  mites  offered  by  the  widow  ; for  the  rest  of  his 
doubts  they  are  of  no  value. 

We  are  often  asked  how  much  this  famous  offering  amounted  to  ? There 
is  some  obscurity  and  confusion  about  their  coin-tables,  and,  therefore,  some 
variety  in  the  estimation.  We  may  say,  however,  that  the  current  value- 
of  the  lepton , or  mite,  was  about  one-fifth  of  a cent  in  our  money ; being 
eighty  to  the  drachma  or  denarius,  which  was  16  or  15  cents. 

But  as  the  purchasing  or  paying  power  of  a drachma  was  probably  as 
great  in  that  day  and  country  as  a dollar  is  in  ours,  we  may  say  that  the 
value  of  a lepton,  judged  by  our  ideas,  was  about  one  cent.  As  the  treasurer 
would  not  take  a less  gift  than  two  lepta , it  follows  that  the  poor  but  very 
liberal  woman  contributed  fully  two  cents,  which  is  more  than  som® 
persons — neither  poor  nor  in  widowhood — throw  into  the  church  basket- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


69 


It  is  worth  while  to  add  that  a visitor  at  the  mint  saw  a similar  piece  in 
Jerusalem,  and  tried  to  obtain  one,  but  on  account  of  its  rarity  did  not 
-succeed. 

W.  E.  D. 

DONATIONS  OF  OLD  COINS. 

Extract  from  the  American  Journal  of  Numismatics , April , 1884. 

Under  the  head  of  donations , we  have  from  Quartermaster  General  Meigs, 
a half-doliar  and  pistareen  of  Carolus  and  Johana  of  Spain.  These  pieces 
were  presented  to  General  Meigs  at  Corpus  Christi,  Texas,  in  1870.  The 
-special  interest  attached  to  them,  is  their  having  been  found  on  the  beach 
of  Padre  Island,  off  the  southerly  coast  of  Texas.  The  supposition  is  that 
they  were  washed  up  from  a sunken  treasure  ship  wrecked  on  the  coast, 
while  carrying  funds  to  the  Army  of  Cortez,  who  entered  the  City  of  Mexico 
in  1519.  Their  good  condition  may  warrant  our  accepting  this  briny 
Tomance  Cum  grano  salis.  Antiquarian  stories  must  expect  to  stand  the 
test  of  the  chemist,  as  well  as  of  the  historian.  This  reminds  me,  however, 
of  some  specimens  of  the  Mint  Cabinet,  from  the  wreck  of  the  San  Pedro, 
some  account  of  which  may  not  be  uninteresting  here.*  “Early  in  1815,  a 
naval  armament  was  fitted  out  in  Spain,  by  Ferdinand  VII.,  for  the  purpose 
of  reducing  the  Rebellious  Colonies  in  South  America.  The  military  force 
of  this  expedition  amounted  to  ten  thousand  men,  of  whom  two  thousand 
we  re  on  board  the  flag  ship  “ San  Pedro.”  The  vessel  was  also  freighted  to 
a large  amount  with  gunpowder,  cannon  balls  and  specie.” 

The  account  then  goes  on  to  state  that  the  fleet  touched  at  the  Island  of 
Marguerita  near  the  coast  of  Venezuela.  After  leaving  the  island,  the  vessel 
took  fire,  burnt  four  hours  until  the  magazine  caught  and  exploded,  and 
the  wreck  went  down  with  four  hundred  men.  The  right  of  working  the 
wreck,  was  granted  about  thirty  years  after,  to  a Baltimore  Company,  known 
as  the  “San  Pedro  Company.”  Divers  were  set  to  work,  and  the  wreck 
found  in  sixty  feet  of  water  on  a hard  bed  of  coral.  Over  this  there  was  a 
deposit  of  mud,  and  again  over  this  a layer  of  coral,  which  had  to  be  pierced 
to  arrive  at  the  treasure. 

The  Spanish  dollars  recovered  were  sent  to  Philadelphia,  and  (up  to 
September,  1848)  about  seventy-five  thousand  dollars  had  been  recovered 
and  re-coined.  The  dollars  were  much  corroded  and  encrusted,  the  coating 
having  first  to  be  removed,  to  bring  the  pieces  into  fit  condition  for  mint- 
ing; the  loss  from  corrosion  was  considerable;  one  dollar  with  the  impres- 
sion still  visible,  being  reduced  to  thirty- four  cents  in  value.  In  the  light 
<oi  these  and  other  facts,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  the  pieces  found  in 
Texas,  could  have  come  so  clean  from  their  reputed  berth,  of  over  three 
hundred  years,  but  they  are  worth  keeping  for  all  that,  and  General  Meigs 
has  the  thanks  of  the  Republic  for  them. 


* From  the  proceedings  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  reported  by  Wm.  L. 
Do  Bois,  in  October,  1845. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


71 


COLONIAL  COINAGES. 

Nova  Constellatio. 

Obverse:  An  eye,  the  center  of  a glory,  thirteen  points 
cross,  equidistant;  a circle  of  as  many  stars.  Legend: 
“NOVA  CONSTELLATIO.” 

Reverse:  “U.  S.  500”  inscribed  in  two  lines,  a wreath 
surrounding.  Legend:  “libertas  justitia  1783.”  Border, 
beaded;  edge,  leaf  work.  Known  as  the  “ Quint.” 

No.  2. — Obverse:  An  eye,  around  which  a narrow,  plain, 
circular  field;  outside  a glory,  thirteen  points  cross,  equidis- 
tant; a circle  of  as  many  stars.  Legend:  “nova  constel- 
latio.” 

Reverse:  “U.  S.  1000”  inscribed  in  two  lines,  a wreath 
surrounding.  Legend:  “libertas  justitia  1783.”  Border, 
a wreath  of  leaves ; edge,  leaf  work ; silver;  size,  21;  weight, 
270  grains.  Known  as  the  “ Mark.” 

The  Immune  Columbia. 

Obverse : An  eye,  on  a small,  plain,  circular  field ; from  the 
outside  of  the  field  radiates  a glory  of  thirteen  blunt  points, 
crossing,  equidistant,  the  spaces  between  as  many  stars  in  a 
circular  constellation.  Legend:  “nova  constellatio.” 

Border,  serrated. 

Reverse:  The  Goddess  of  Liberty,  seated  upon  a paneled 
cubic  pedestal,  facing  right;  her  left  hand  is  well  extended  and 
balances  the  scales  of  justice.  A short  liberty  staff,  crowned 
with  a cap  and  bearing  a flag,  rests  against  her  right  shoulder, 
and  is  supported  by  the  right  hand.  Legend:  “immune 
Columbia.”  Exergue:  the  date  1785.  Border,  serrated; 
edge,  plain  or  milled;  size,  17;  weight,  gold,  128.8  grains; 
silver,  92  grains;  copper  148  grains. 

Bermuda  Shilling — (“  Hogge-Penny  ”). 

Obverse:  Device — A hog,  standing,  facing  left,  above 
-which  are  displayed  the  Roman  numerals  “XII.,”  the  whole 
surrounded  by  a beaded  circle.  Legend:  “ sommer  islands” 
around  which  is  a beaded  circle  like  that  enclosing  the  device. 

Reverse:  Device — A full-rigged  ship  under  sail  to  the  left, 
a flag  flying  from  each  of  her  four  masts — enclosed  in  a beaded 
circle,  the  beads  larger  than  on  the  obverse.  Copper;  size, 
19;  weight,  177  grains. 


72 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


New  Jersey  Immunis. 

Obverse:  Goddess  of  Liberty,  seated  upon  a globe,  facing 
right;  in  her  extended  left  hand  the  scales  of  justice;  right 
hand  staff  of  liberty  bearing  a flag  and  crowned  with  a cap. 
Legend:  “immunis  Columbia.”  Exergue:  “1786.”  Bor- 
der, serrated;  edge,  plain;  size,  18;  weight,  160  grains. 

Beverse:  A shield  argent,  six  pales  gules,  a chief  azure. 
Legend:  “e  pluribus  unum.”  Border,  serrated;  edge, 
plain;  size,  18;  weight,  160  grains. 

CoNFEDERATIO  AND  INIMICA  TyRANNIS. 

Obverse : A circular  central  field,  size  6,  covered  with  a 
cluster  of  thirteen  small  stars  ; around  this  device  a glory  of 
fine  rays,  presenting  a corrugated  outline  of  sixteen  points. 
Legend:  “confederatio  1785.”  Border,  serrated. 

Beverse : An  Indian,  standing  beside  an  altar  or  pedestal, 
his  right  foot  upon  a crown,  an  arrow  in  his  right  hand,  a bow 
in  his  left ; at  his  back  a quiver  full  of  arrows.  Legend : 
“inimica  tyrannis  America.”  Border,  serrated;  edge, 
plain  ; size,  18  ; weight,  112  grains. 

Connecticut  Cent,  1788. 

Obverse:  Identical  with  one  of  1787. 

Beverse : The  same  as  one  of  the  coins  of  Vermont.  Another 
Connecticut  coin  of  this  year,  has  the  same  reverse  as  the 
“georgiys  ill  rex”  issue  of  Machin  & Co.,  from  the  mint 
established  by  them  in  the  State  of  New  York. 

Note. — The  obverse  and  reverse  dies  of  the  Connecticut  cents  are  too 
numerous  to  mention,  there  being  no  less  than  one  hundred  and  sixty-four 
of  the  first,  and  eighty-four  of  the  latter. 

New  England  Token. 

Obverse:  Same  as  that  of  the  common  type  of  the  Carolina 
Token  of  1694,  and  from  the  same  die  as  that  and  the  “ Lon- 
don Halfpenny.” 

Beverse : An  inscription,  in  five  lines,  occupying  the  whole 
field,  “ god  preserve  new  England  1694.”  Borders, 
milled;  edge,  plain;  copper;  size,  18 J;  weight,  183  and  236 
grains. 

Good  Samaritan  Shillings. 

The  same  general  type  and  variety  as  the  Pine  Tree  Shil- 
ling, but  bearing  upon  the  obverse  a well-executed  device, 
illustrating  the  parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan ; but  two  or 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


T3 


three  specimens  of  this  coin  have  been  known,  two  of  which 
are  in  existence  and  of  unique  varieties ; they  are  supposed  to 
have  been  pattern  pieces,  struck  at  the  origin  of  the  Mint  of 
Massachusetts  Colony. 

Massachusetts  Hale  Cent,  1787. 

Obverse:  Same  general  description  as  the  Cent  of  1787. 

Reverse  : Same  in  general  as  the  Cent  of  1787,  except  that 
the  shield  upon  some  specimens,  bears  only  “half  cent.” 
Borders,  milled;  edge  plain;  size,  15  to  15  J;  weight,  75  to 
83  grains. 

The  “ Cent,”  1788.  Twelve  Types.  Thirteen  Varieties. 

Massachusetts  Cent,  1788. 

Obverse:  A clothed  Indian,  standing,  facing  left,  in  his 
right  hand  a bow,  in  his  left  an  arrow.  Legend:  “common- 
wealth.” 

Reverse:  A spread  eagle,  a broad  shield  upon  his  breast,  six 
pales  gules  (upright),  a chief  azure  (open  or  plain).  Upon  the 
chief,  or  upper  part  of  the  shield,  the  word  “cent,”  in  bold 
Roman  lettering.  In  exergue,  beneath  a heavy  horizontal  bar, 
the  date  1787.  Borders,  milled;  edge,  plain;  size,  16 J to 
19 ; weight,  146  to  165  grains. 

Fugios  or  Franklin  Cents. 

The  Fugios  or  Franklin  Cents  are  the  earliest  coins  issued 
by  authority  of  the  United  States.  They  being  all  dated  1787, 
■and  made  in  conformity  with  resolution  of  Congress,  dated 
July  6,  1787 : 

“ Resolved , That  the  Board  of  Treasury  direct  the  con- 
tractor for  the  copper  coinage  to  stamp  on  one  side  of  each 
piece  the  following  devices,  viz. : Thirteen  circles  linked  to- 
gether, a small  circle  in  the  middle,  with  the  words  4 united 
states’  round  it,  and  in  the  centre  the  words,  4 we  are  one’  ; 
on  the  other  side  of  the  same  piece  the  following  device,  viz. : 
a dial  with  the  hours  expressed  on  the  face  of  it ; a meridian 
sun  above,  on  one  side  of  which  is  to  be  the  word  4fugio,’  and 
on  the  other  the  year  in  figures  4 1787  ’ ; below  the  dial  the 
words  4 MIND  YOUR  BUSINESS.’  ” 

The  Bar  Cent,  or  U S A Copper. 

This  coin,  presumed  to  have  belonged  to  the  same  issue  as 
the  Nova  Constellatio  Coppers,  was  probably  made  in  Bir- 


74 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


mingham,  England,  by  Thomas  Wyon,  for  circulation  m 
America.  The  44  U S A”  Copper  was  first  passed  as  money 
in  the  City  of  New  York,  in  November,  1785.  The  device- 
was  taken  from  an  old  Continental  button,  to  which  fact  and 
the  light  weight  of  the  piece,  has  been  attributed  the  disfavor 
shown  the  coinage  and  the  limited  circulation  given  the  same. 

Obverse:  Large  Roman  44  U S A”  in  a monogram,  on  a- 
plain  field. 

Reverse : Thirteen  horizontal  bars.  Border,  serrated ; Edge- 
plain  ; size,  15  J ; weight,  85  grains.  Two  pairs  of  dies. 

Maryland  Penny. 

The  Maryland  Penny.  One  Type.  One  Variety.  Unique- 

Obverse  : Similar  to  that  of  the  sixpence. 

Reverse:  A Ducal  Coronet,  upon  which  are  erected  two- 
masts,  each  bearing  a flying  pennant.  Legend:  “denarivm 
terre-m arije. ’ ’ Copper;  size,  13. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  piece  extant  was  imported  into- 
America  from  England,  at  a cost  of  c£75,  and  was  sold  for 
$370  with  the  collection  of  J.  J.  Mickley,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia.. 

Rosa  Americana  Half-Penny,  1722. 

Obverse : Laureated  head  of  King  George  I,  facing  rights 
Legend:  “ georgius  dei  gratia  rex.” 

Reverse : A full  double  rose ; from  this  project  five  barbed- 
points.  Legend:  “rosa  Americana  utile  dulci  1722” 
which  encircles  the  piece.  Border,  beaded ; edge,  plain 
“Bath  Metal;”  size,  16  to  18;  weight,  139  grains. 

Devices : Same  as  those  of  the  Penny  of  this  coinage.  Le 
gends : Same  import  as  those  upon  the  Penny,  but  varied  by 
abbreviations  and  in  punctuation.  Border,  beaded ; edge,, 
plain;  44  Bath  Metal;”  size,  13  to  14;  weight,  75  grains. 

Liber  Natus  Libertatem  Defendo — First . 

Reverse  : Arms  of  the  State  of  New  York.  Upon  an  oval 
shield  at  the  center  is  shown  the  sun  rising  from  behind  a 
range  of  hills,  the  sea  in  the  foreground ; left  of  the  shield, 
Justice,  with  sword  and  scales ; right,  Liberty,  with  staff  and 
cap.  Upon  a hemisphere,  above  the  shield,  stands  an  eagle, 
wings  outspread,  facing  right.  Exergue:  1787;  beneath  this, 
next  the  border,  44  excelsior.”  Border,  serrated;  edge,, 
plain ; size,  17 ; weight,  157  grains. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


75 


Liber  Natus  Libertatem  Defendo. — Second. 

Obverse : An  Indian,  standing,  crowned  with  feathers,  and 
facing  left ; in  his  right  hand  he  wields  a tomahawk,  his  left 
supports  a bow,  the  end  of  which  rests  on  the  ground  near 
his  feet ; over  his  right  shoulder  appears  the  top  of  a quiver 
of  arrows,  which  is  borne  upon  his  back.  Legend:  “ liber 
natus  liberatem  defendo.” 

Reverse:  A hemisphere  of  the  globe,  marked  by  longi- 
tudinal and  meridianal  lines ; upon  this  stands  a large  heavy- 
bodied eagle,  wings  spread,  somewhat  drooping,  beak  toward! 
the  right.  Legend:  “ neo-eboracus  1787  excelsior.’” 

Border,  serrated;  edge,  plain;  size,  17  ; weight,  153  grains. 

Granby  or  Higley  Token,  1737. 

Obverse:  A deer,  standing,  facing  left,  occupying  the  whole 
field.  Legend:  “ valve  me  as  you  please.”  Exergue:  The 
Roman  numerals  III  upon  a small  scroll ; a little  crescent  is 
shown  below. 

Reverse : Three  hammers,  each  bearing  a crown  upon  the 
head.  Legend:  “I  am  good  copper  1737.” 

Washington  Cent,  1783. 

Obverse:  Large  laureated  bust  of  Washington,  draped, 
facing  left.  Legend:  “Washington  & independence  1783.” 

Reverse:  A figure  of  a female,  facing  left,  seated  upon  a 
rock ; right  hand  holds  an  olive  branch ; left,  staff  of  liberty, 
with  cap.  Legend:  u united  states.”  Exergue:  T.  w.  I. 
e.  s.  Border,  beaded;  edge,  plain;  size,  17 J;  weight,  120 
grains.  Two  obverse  and  three  reverse  dies. 

Washington  Liverpool  Half-Penny. 

Obverse:  Bust  of  Washington,  in  uniform,  facing  left,  hair 
in  a queue.  Legend:  “Washington  president.” 

Reverse:  A ship,  under  sail,  to  the  right:  Legend: 

“halfpenny”  under  the  ship,  waves,  and  in  the  foreground, 
on  a panel,  the  date  1793.  Border,  milled;  edge,  lettered 
“PAYABLE  IN  ANGLESEY  LONDON  OR  LIVERPOOL.”  Size,  19, 
weight,  163  grains. 

Washington  Naked  Bust  Cent,  1792. 

Obverse:  A classical  bust  of  Washington,  undraped,  facing 
right;  the  head  is  encircled  by  a fillet,  confining  the  hair, 
which  is  cut  short  and  is  curly;  the  fillet  is  tied  at  the  back 
of  the  head  by  a bow  knot  with  long  pendent  ends.  Legend:. 
“WASHINGTON  PRESIDENT  1792.” 


76 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Reverse : A small  eagle,  displayed,  wings  upraised ; on  his 
breast  a shield  argent,  six  pales  gules;  right  talon,  an  olive 
branch,  fourteen  leaves,  six  berries ; left  talon,  thirteen  arrows ; 
about  the  head  of  the  eagle  are  six  mullets,  and  above  is  the 
word  “cent.”  Border,  milled;  edge,  plain,  or  inscribed: 
“united  states  OF  America.”  Size,  19;  weight,  198 
grains.  Some  six  or  eight  specimens  only  are  known. 

Non  Dependens  Status. 

Obverse:  A full  bust,  facing  right;  flowing  hair  to  the 
shoulders.  Upon  the  drapery  of  the  bust  a small  oval  shield 
as  an  epaulet,  emblazoned  with  a staff*  bearing  a flag  ; across 
'[the  staff,  saltierwise,  rests  a naked  sword.  In  each  angle  of 
’this  device  is  displayed  a fleur  de  lis.  Upon  the  breast  of  the 
bust  is  a head  with  spreading  wings.  Legend : “ non-depen- 
DENS  STATTS.” 

Reverse : An  Indian,  seated  upon  a globe,  facing  left ; nude, 
except  a cap  or  bandeau  upon  his  head,  and  a feather  tunic 
around  the  lower  part  of  the  body.  In  his  extended  right 
hand  he  holds  a bunch  of  tobacco ; the  left  reaches  behind 
him  and  rests  upon  a shield,  bearing  the  same  emblems  dis- 
played upon  the  epaulets  upon  the  bust  on  the  obverse.  Le- 
gend: “amer  ica,”  divided  by  the  figure  of  the  Indian. 
Exergue:  1778.  Border,  plain  ; edge  plain  ; size,  19. 

Some  coin  dealers  advertise  the  Non  Dependens  Status  as 
“ a rare  copper,  worth  $100.” 

Pattern  Cent,  1792. 

Obverse : A bust  of  Liberty,  facing  to  right,  the  hair  con- 
fined by  a fillet.  Above  is  inscribed  the  word  “liberty,” 
and  beneath  the  date  “1792.” 

Reverse : A portion  of  a globe,  on  which  stands  an  eagle, 
with  raised  wings.  Legend : “ united  states  of  America.” 
This  cent  has  a grained  edge,  like  the  cents  of  1793.  Some 
numismatists  give  it  the  preference  as  the  first  cent. 

George  Clinton  Copper,  1787. 

The  George  Clinton  Copper  has  the  bust  of  Governor  Clin- 
ton facing  right,  with  legend  “george  clinton.” 

Reverse:  The  State  arms  of  New  York,  and  in  the  exergue, 
“1787  excelsior.”  This  last  reverse  is  found  also  combined 
with  the  Liber  Natus,  which  has  an  Indian  standing,  facing 
left,  with  tomahawk  in  th'e  right  hand  and  bow  in  the  left,  a 
bundle  of  arrows  also  at  his  back.  Legend:  “liber  natus 
LIBERTATEM  defendo.”  This  latter  obverse  is  also  found 
combined  with  another  reverse,  as  follows:  An  eagle  stands 
upon  a section  of  the  globe.  Legend:  “neo  emboracu& 
1787  excelsior.” 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


77 


Kentucky  Token  or  Cent 

Has  a hand  holding  a scroll  inscribed  “Our  Cause  is  Just/* 
Legend:  “unanimity  is  the  strength  of  society.”  Re- 
verse: A radiant  pyramid,  triangular  in  shape,  of  fifteen  stars 
united  by  rings,  each  star  having  placed  in  it  the  initial  of  a 
State,  Kentucky  being  at  the  top.  Legend:  “e  pluribus 
unum.” 


Shekel  (Simon  Maccabees). 

The  Shekel  was  originally  a weight.  The  first  form  in 
which  money  was  used  by  the  Jews,  and  by  all  other  nations 
of  which  we  have  any  knowledge,  was  the  pieces  without  any 
regular  shape  or  any  marks  or  devices  upon  them.  Precious 
metals  passed  by  weight.  Thus  it  is  said  of  the  purchase 
made  by  Abraham  of  the  cave  and  field  of  Machpelah,  “And 
Abraham  hearkened  unto  Ephron ; and  Abraham  weighed  to 
Ephron  the  silver,  which  he  had  named  in  the  audience  of  the 
sons  of  Heth,  four  hundred  shekels  of  silver,  current  with  the 
merchant.”  Gen.  xxiii.  16. 

The  weight  of  a shekel  was  a little  less  than  one-half  an 
ounce  troy.  The  term  “current  with  the  merchant,”  probably 
refers  to  the  purity  of  the  silver,  which  was  about  ninety-five 
per  cent,  fine,  and  the  value  in  our  money  was  fifty-eight 
cents.  It  first  appeared  as  a coin  in  the  time  of  the  Maccabees, 
who  lived  about  140  B.  C.  The  amount  of  silver  in  the  coin 
is  the  same  as  was  contained  in  the  piece  of  silver  denomi- 
nated a shekel.  It  will  be  seen  that  on  one  side  is  the  golden 
cup  that  had  manna  (see  Exod.  xvi.  33,  and  Heb.  ix.  4),  with 
the  inscription  in  old  Hebrew  character,  “shekel  of  Israel;” 
on  the  other  side  appears  Aaron’s  rod  that  budded  with  the 
legend  in  the  same  character,  “Jerusalem  the  holy.”  This 
specimen  is  in  the  Mint  cabinet;  one  of  the  most  rare  and 
interesting  coins  in  the  collection. 


Immunis  Columbia,  1787. 

Obverse:  The  Goddess  of  Liberty,  seated  upon  a globe, 
facing  right;  in  her  fully  extended  left  hand  she  balances  the 
scales  of  justice;  the  right  hand  supports  a liberty  staff, 
bearing  a flag  and  crowned  with  a cap.  Legend:  “immunis 
Columbia.”  Exergue:  1787. 

Reverse:  An  eagle,  displayed;  right  talon,  an  olive  branch, 
thirteen  leaves;  left  talon,  thirteen  arrows.  Legend:  “E 
pluribus  unum.”  Borders,  serrated;  edge,  plain;  size,  16J; 
weight.  135  grains. 


78 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Massachusetts  Pine  Tree  Shilling. 

“ John  Hull  and  Robert  Saunderson  were  equal  officers  in 
the  4 gainful  business  ’ of  the  Mint.  How  much  they  coined  in 
all  for  the  colony,  or  the  exact  amount  of  their  profits  under 
the  contract  they  carried  out,  cannot  be  determined. ” The 
coinage  was  certainly  large  in  amount,  and  they,  as  was  well 
understood,  became  men  of  wealth  and  substance.  When  the 
daughter  of  John  Hull  was  married  to  Judge  Samuel  Sewall, 
the  founder  of  the  town  of  Newbury,  Mass.,  the  prosperous 
mint-master  gave  the  bride  a dowery  of  her  weight  in  silver. 
At  the  conclusion  of  the  wedding  ceremony,  a large  steel-yard 
‘/was  brought  into  the  room,  and  the  blushing  bride  placed  upon 
one  of  the  platforms  of  the  same,  while  into  a tub  upon  the 
other  side  were  poured  the  Pine  Tree  Shillings,  until  the 
steel-yard  balanced. 

Chain  Cents. 

These  have  a bust  with  flowing  hair,  looking  right,  with  the 
date  below  and  word  44 liberty”  above  it;  on  the  reverse  side, 
in  the  centre,  is  44  one  cent,”  with  44riro”  below  it,  enclosed  in 
an  endless  chain  of  fifteen  links,  typifying  the  number  of 
States  then  in  the  Union.  The  legend  is  44  united  states  of 
America”  in  all  excepting  one  die,  which  reads  44  united 
STATES  OF  ameri,”  the  engraver  evidently  not  having  room 
to  complete  the  word. 

The  Myddleton  Tokens. 

Obverse:  A figure,  representing  Plope,  beside  an  anchor; 
she  presents  two  children  to  a female,  the  last  extending  her 
right  hand  in  reception  of  the  charge ; the  left  hand  supports 
a liberty  staff,  which  is  crowned  with  a cap;  in  front  of  the 
figure  with  the  staff  is  an  olive  branch  and  a wreath,  to  the 
rear  a cornucopia.  Legend:  44 British  settlement  Ken- 
tucky.” 

Reverse:  Brittania,  seated  disconsolate  amid  the  down-cast 
emblems  of  her  power,  and  facing  left ; her  head  is  bowed ; she 
holds  in  her  right  hand  an  inverted  spear,  the  head  of  which 
penetrates  the  ground ; at  her  right  side  a bundle  of  fasces  or 
lictors’  rods  have  fallen  near  the  cap  of  Liberty;  upon  the 
ground,  before  the  figure,  are  the  scales  of  justice,  upon  which 
Brittania  has  set  her  left  foot  and  the  sword  of  justice,  with 
broken  blade;  the  left  arm  of  the  figure  rests  upon  a large 
shield,  bearing  the  cross  of  the  British  ensigns.  Legend: 
“ payable  by  p.  p.  p.  myddleton.” 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


79 


The  Small  Pattern  Cent. 

Obverse:  A head,  facing  right,  hair  unconfined,  floating 
backward  in  flowing  locks.  Legend:  “ liberty  parent  of 
science  & indust.”  Exergue:  Beneath  the  head  the  date 
1792. 

Reverse:  A wreath,  two  olive  branches  crossed  at  the  lower 
ends  and  tied  with  a ribbon ; within  the  wreath  a field  bearing 
an  inscription  “one  cent”  in  two  lines.  Legend:  “united 
states  of  America.”  Exergue:  “t^.”  Border,  milled ; edge, 
reeded;  size,  14;  weight,  65  grains.  Extremely  rare. 


The  Double  Head  Washington 
A small  head  on  both  obverse  and  reverse.  The  formei 
has  the  legend,  “Washington;”  the  latter  the  legend  “one 
cent.”  No  date. 


New  York  Washington  Cent. 


Bust  of  Washington  with  a wig,  and  with  military  draping, 
face  right.  Legend:  “non  yi  virtute  vici.” 

Reverse:  The  Goddess  of  Liberty,  seated,  with  liberty  pole 
and  scales  of  justice.  Legend:  “neo  eboracensis.”  Date, 


1786. 


Carolina  Elephant  (Token.) 

A token  much  prized  by  collectors  is  known  as  the  Carolina 
Elephant.  The  obverse  is  from  a rather  common  English 
token  known  now  as  the  London  Elephant.  The  animal  is 
standing  with  his  head  down.  There  is  no  legend. 

Reverse:  “god  preserve  Carolina  and  the  lords  pro- 
prieters  1694.” 


Copper  Half-Cent  of  1794. 

In  1794  and  1795  similar  device  to  that  of  1798;  but  face 
Liberty  facing  to  the  right.  Weight,  104  grains. 

Cent,  1799. 

The  liberty  cap  is  omitted,  as  is  the  lettering  on  the  edge, 
not  to  reappear  on  the  American  cent.  Liberty  Cap  Cents 
are  very  rare. 

In  the  year  1798  a slight  change  was  made  in  the  obverse 
of  the  cent,  giving  some  of  the  curls  a different  termination 
from  those  of  1796,  1797,  and  the  early  part  of  1798.  The 
latter  device  was  continned  each  year,  until  and  including 
1807.  The  reverse  remained  unchanged  during  the  same  time, 
excepting  some  slight  variations,  probably  unintentional,  if 
not  positive  mistakes.  For  instance,  in  1797  and  1802  we 
find  some  without  stems  to  the  wreaths,  and  in  one  case  only 


80 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


one  stem.  In  1801  and  1802  some  have  instead  of  the 
fraction  t^.  In  addition  to  this  error,  a variety  of  the  cent  of 
1802  has  “Iinited,”  instead  of  “United.”  In  1796  we  have 
in  one  instance  “Liherty,”  instead  of  “Liberty.” 

Liberty  Cent,  1809. 

In  1809  an  obverse  head  of  Liberty;  forehead  encircled  by 
a band,  “liberty”  inscribed  upon  it,  surrounded  by  thirteen 
stars.  Exergue:  “1809.” 

Reverse:  Wreath  in  a circular  garland  inclosing  the  words 
“one  cent.”  No  change  took  place  during  the  issues  of  1808- 
to  1814,  inclusive. 

Half-Cent  of  1793. 

The  first  half-cent  was  issued  in  1793,  having  on  obverse: 
Bust  of  Liberty,  facing  to  the  left;  staff  surmounted  by 
liberty-cap  over  right  shoulder.  Legend:  “liberty.”  Ex- 
ergue: “1793.” 

Reverse;  Inscription,  “half  cent,”  surrounded  by  a 
wreath,  tied  with  a ribbon.  Weight,  132  grains. 

Wreath  Cent. 

Obverse:  Bust  of  Liberty,  hair  flowing.  Legend:  “lib- 
erty.” Exergue:  “1793.” 

Reverse : A wreath  with  berries,  the  stems  of  wreath  tied  in 
a bow  with  a ribbon.  Inscription:  “one  cent.”  Legend: 
“UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.”  Exergue:  “tIto.” 

Third.  Known  as  the  “Liberty  Cap  Cent.” 

Liberty  and  Security  Washington  Coin. 

Obverse:  A bust  of  Washington,  in  uniform,  facing  right,, 
hair  in  a queue.  Legend:  “george  Washington.” 

Reverse:  A shield  with  sixteen  argent  and  gules  impaling 
argent,  fifteen  mullets;  above  the  shield  an  eagle,  left  talon, 
an  olive  branch,  right  talon,  six  arrows.  Legend:  “liberty 
and  security.”  Exergue:  “17  95,”  divided  by  the  point 
of  the  shield.  Border:  A plain  circle,  and  outside  of  th& 
same,  milled  edge,  lettered  “an  asylum  for  all  nations.” 
Size,  20 J;  weight,  310  grains.  This  piece  is  extremely  rare. 

Virginia  Half-Penny. 

The  well-known  Virginia  half-pennies  seem  to  have  been 
very  plentiful.  A number  of  different  dies  were  used.  A iau* 
reated  bust  of  George  the  Third  is  surrounded,  as  on  the  Eng- 
lish half-penny,  with  his  title,  “georgivs  III.  rex.”  The 
reverse  has  an  ornamental  and  crowned  shield,  emblazoned 
quarterly:  1,  England  empaling  Scotland;  2,  France;  3,  Ire- 
land; 4,  the  electoral  dominions.  Legend:  “Virginia." 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


81 


Coins  issued  at  the  United  States  Mint  at  Phila- 
delphia, FROM  ITS  ESTABLISHMENT  IN  1792  TO  1890. 

Gold. 

Double  Eagle. 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  March  3,  1849.  Weight,  516  grains; 
fineness,  900 ; size,  21. 

1850  to  1 865, inclusive.  No.  1.  Obverse:  Liberty  head,  facing  left,  hair 
lied  behind,  a coronet  on  the  forehead  inscribed  “ liberty,”  thirteen  stars 
and  date. 

Reverse:  An  eagle  with  shield  upon  its  breast,  and  an  olive  branch  ar. 
three  arrows  in  its  talons;  in  its  beak,  an  elaborate  scroll,  inscribed  “e 
PLURIBUS  unujm  .”  Above,  a circle  of  thirteen  stars  and  a curved  line  of 
rays  extending  from  wing  to  wing,  “united  states  of  America.” 
“twenty  d.” 

1866  to  1876,  inclusive.  No.  2,  same,  with  the  motto  “ in  god  we  trust” 
inscribed  within  the  circle  of  stars  on  the  reverse. 

'877.  No.  3.  Same,  *dth  “twenty  dollars”  for  “twenty  d.” 

Eagle. 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  2,  1792.  Weight,  270  grains; 
fineness,  916f.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  June  28,  1834,  to  258  grains. 
Fineness  changed,  Acc  of  June  28,  1834,  to  899.225.  Fineness  changed. 
Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  900. 

1795.  Obverse:  Liberty  head,  wearing  a cap,  facing  right.  Fifteen 
stars.  Above,  “liberty;”  beneath,  “1795;”  size,  21. 

Reverse:  An  eagle  with  displayed  wings,  standing  on  a palm  branch; 
in  beak,  a laurel  wreath,  “united  states  of  America” 

1796.  Same,  with  sixteen  stars. 

1797.  No.  1.  Same,  with  sixteen  stars. 

1797.  No.  2.  Obverse:  Same,  with  sixteen  stars. 

Reverse:  An  eagle  with  the  United  States  shield  upon  its  breast,  a 
bundle  of  arrows  in  the  right  talon,  and  an  olive  branch  in  the  left;  in  its 
beak,  a scroll  inscribed  “e  pluribus  unum.”  Around  the  head  are  six- 
teen stars;  above,  is  a curved  line  of  clouds  extending  from  wing  to  wing. 
“UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.” 

1798  to  1801,  inclusive.  Same,  with  thirteen  stars  cn  the  obverse.  Of 
1798,  two  varieties  with  four  stars  facing. 

1802.  None  issued. 

1803  and  1804.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1797.  Thirteen  stars. 

1805  to  1837,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1838  to  1865,  inclusive.  Obverse:  Liberty  head  facing  left,  hair  tied 
behind,  a coronet  on  the  forehead  inscribed  “ liberty,”  thirteen  stars,  and 

late. 

Reverse : An  eagle  with  the  United  States  shield  upon  its  breast,  and 
An  olive  branch  and  three  arrows  in  the  talons,  “united  states  of 
America.”  Size,  17. 

1866.  Same,  with  a scroll  above  the  eagle  inscribed  “in  god  wt 

TRUST.” 

Half  Eagle. 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  2,  1792.  Weight,  135  grains/ 
fineness,  916|.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  June  28,  1834,  to  129  grains. 


#2 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OP 


Fineness  changed,  Act  of  June  28,  1834,  to  899.225.  Fineness  changed, 
Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  900. 

1795.  No.  1.  Same  type  as  the  Eagle;  size,  16. 

1795.  No.  2.  Obverse:  Same. 

Reverse : An  eagle,  wings  extended  upwards,  with  the  United  States  shield 
Upon  its  breast,  a bundle  of  thirteen  arrows  in  the  right  talon,  and  an  olive 
branch  in  the  left.  In  its  beak,  a scroll  inscribed  “ e pluribus  unum.” 
Around  the  head  are  sixteen  stars,  and  above  is  a curved  line  of  clouds 
■extending  from  wing  to  wing,  “united  states  of  America.” 

1796.  Same  as  No.  1 of  1795 ; fifteen  stars  on  obverse. 

1797.  No.  1.  Same  as  No.  1 of  1795. 

1797.  No.  2.  Same,  with  sixteen  stars  on  obverse. 

1797.  No.  3.  Obverse:  Same,  with  fifteen  stars. 

Reverse:  Same  as  No.  2 of  1795,  sixteen  stars  around  the  eagle. 

1798.  No.  1.  Same  as  No.  1 of  1795,  with  thirteen  stars. 

1798.  No.  2.  Obverse:  Same. 

Reverse:  Same  as  No.  2 of  1795,  thirteen  stars. 

1799  and  1800.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1795,  with  thirteen  stars  on  the  obverse 

1801.  None  issued. 

1802  to  1806,  inclusive.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1795,  with  thirteen  stars  on 
the  obverse. 

1807.  No.  1.  Obverse:  Same  as  No.  1,  1795,  with  thirteen  stars. 

Reverse:  Same  as  No.  2,  1795. 

1807.  No.  2.  Obverse : Liberty  head,  facing  left ; bust,  draped,  wearing 
a kind  of  turban  with  a band  in  front  inscribed  “ liberty,”  thirteen  starsj 
and  date. 

Reverse : An  eagle,  with  the  United  States  shield  upon  its  breast,  an 
olive  branch  and  three  arrows  in  the  talons.  Above,  a scroll,  inscribed 
*E  plurtbus  unum.”  United  States  of  America  “5.  D.” 

1808  to  1812  inclusive.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1807. 

1813  to  1815,  inclusive.  Obverse:  Liberty  head,  facing  left,  wearing  a 
kind  of  turban,  a band  in  front  inscribed  “liberty.”  Thirteen  stars  and 
date.  No  shoulders. 

Reverse:  Same  as  No.  2 of  1807. 

1816  and  1817,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1818  to  1828,  inclusive.  Same  as  1813. 

182b.  No.  1.  Same  as  1813  ; size,  16. 

1829.  No.  2.  Same,  but  smaller ; size,  15. 

1830  to  1833,  inclusive.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1829. 

1834.  No.  1.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1829. 

1834.  No.  2.  Obverse : Liberty  head,  facing  left,  hair  confined  by  a band 
Inscribed  “ liberty.” 

Reverse : Same  as  No.  2 of  1807,  without  the  motto  “ e pluribus  unum" 
omitted;  size,  14. 

1835  to  1838,  inclusive.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1834. 

1839  to  1865,  inclusive.  Same  type  as  the  Eagle  of  1838. 

1866.  Same  type  as  Eagle  of  same  date. 

Three-Dollar  Piece. 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  February  21,  1853.  Weight,  77.4 
grains;  fineness,  900. 

1854.  Obverse:  An  Indian  head,  wearing  a crown  of  eagle  feathers,  on 
band  of  which  is  inscribed  “ liberty  ” — “ united  states  of  America.” 

Reverse:  “3  dollars  1854”  within  a wreath  of  corn,  wheat,  cotton,  and 
tobacco.  Size,  13. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


83 


Quarter-Eagle. 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  2,  1792.  Weight,  67.5  grains; 
fineness,  916f.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  June  28,  1834,  to  64.5  grains. 
Fineness  changed,  Act  of  June  28,  1834,  to  899.225.  Fineness  changed. 
Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  900. 

1796.  No.  1.  Obverse:  Liberty  head,  facing  right,  above  “ liberty 
sixteen  stars. 

Reverse:  Same  type  as  No.  2 half-eagle  of  1795,  size  13. 

No.  2.  Same,  with  no  stars  on  obverse. 

1797-1798.  Same  as  No.  1 of  1796,  with  thirteen  stars. 

1799-1801,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1802.  Same  as  1798. 

1803.  None  issued. 

1804  to  1807,  inclusive.  Same  as  1798. 

1808.  Same  type  as  No.  2 half-eagle  of  1807,  with  “ 2 \ D.n 

1809  to  1820,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1821.  Obverse:  Same  type  as  the  half-eagle  of  1813,  size  12. 

Reverse:  Same  type  as  No.  2 half-eagle  of  1807. 

1822  and  1823.  None  issued. 

1824-1827,  inclusive.  Same  as  1821. 

1828.  None  issued. 

1829  to  1833,  inclusive.  Same  as  1821. 

1834.  No.  1.  Same  as  1821.  No.  2.  Same  type  as  No.  2 half-eagle  of 
1834,  size  11. 

1835  to  1839,  inclusive.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1834. 

1840  to  1865.  Same  type  as  the  eagle  of  1834. 

1866.  Same  type  as  eagle  of  1866. 

Dollar. 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  March  3,  1849.  Weight,  25.8  grains; 
fineness,  900. 

1849  to  1853,  inclusive.  Obverse : Same  type  as  the  eagle,  without  date. 

Reverse:  “1  dollar  1849 ” within  a laurel  wreath,  “united  states 
OP  AMERICA.”  Size  8. 

1854.  No.  1.  Same.  No.  2.  Same  type  as  the  three-dollar  piece, 
size  9. 

Silver. 

Dollar . 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  2,  1792.  Weight,  416  grains; 
fineness,  892.4.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  4124  grains. 
Fineness  changed,  Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  900.  Coinage  discontinued, 
Act  of  February  12, 1873.  Coinage  reauthorized,  Act  of  February  28, 1878. 

1794.  Obverse:  Liberty  head,  facing  right,  flowing  hair,  fifteen  stars; 
above,  “liberty;”  beneath,  “1794.” 

Reverse:  An  eagle  with  raised  wings,  encircled  by  branches  of  laurel 
crossed;  “ united  states  of  America.”  On  the  edge,  “ hundred  cents, 
one  dollar  or  unit.”  Size,  24. 

1795.  No.  1.  Same. 

1795.  No.  2.  Bust  of  Liberty,  facing  right,  hair  bound  by  a ribbon, 
shoulders  draped,  fifteen  stars. 

Reverse : An  eagle  with  expanded  wings,  standing  upon  clouds,  within  & 
Wreath  of  palm  and  laurel,  which  is  crossed  and  tied.  “ united  states 
OF  AMERICA.” 

1796.  Same  as  No.  2,  of  1795. 


84 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OP 


1797.  No.  1.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1795,  with  sixteen  stars,  six  of  whidi 
are  facing. 

1797.  No.  2.  Same,  with  seven  stars  facing. 

1798.  No.  1.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1795,  with  fifteen  stars. 

1798.  No.  2.  Same,  with  thirteen  stars. 

1798.  No.  3.  Obverse:  Same,  with  thirteen  stars. 

Reverse:  An  eagle  with  raised  wings,  bearing  the  United  States  shield 
upon  its  breast,  in  beak,  a scroll  inscribed  “e  pluribus  unum.”  A 
bundle  of  thirteen  arrows  in  the  right  talon,  and  an  olive  branch  in  the 
left.  Above,  are  clouds,  and  thirteen  stars.  “ united  states  of  America.” 
Size,  25. 

1799  to  1804,  inclusive.  Same  as  No.  3,  of  1798. 

1805  to  1839,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1840  to  1865,  inclusive.  Obverse:  Liberty  seated  upon  a rock,  support 
ing  with  her  right  hand  the  United  States  shield,  across  which  floats  a scroll 
inscribed  “ liberty,”  and  with  her  left  the  staff  and  liberty  cap ; beneath, 
the  date. 

Reverse : An  eagle  with  expanded  wings,  bearing  the  United  States  shield 
upon  its  breast,  and  an  olive  branch  and  three  arrows  in  its  talons.  “ united- 
states  of  America.”  “one  dole.”  Reeded  edge;  size,  24. 

1866  to  1873,  inclusive.  Same,  with  a scroll  above  the  eagle,  inscribed, 
“in  god  we  trust.” 

1874  to  1877,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1878.  Obverse:  Liberty  head  facing  left,  upon  which  is  a cap,  a wheat 
and  cotton  wreath,  and  a band  inscribed  “liberty;”  above,  “e  pluribus 
UNUM ;”  beneath,  the  date.  Thirteen  stars. 

Reverse : An  eagle  with  expanded  wings  pointing  upwards ; in  right  talon 
an  olive  branch  with  nine  leaves;  in  the  left,  three  arrows.  In  the  field 
above,  “in  god  we  trust;”  beneath,  a semi-wreath,  tied  and  crossed, 
reaching  upwards  to  the  wings;  “united  states  of  America.”  Some 
pieces  of  the  above  date  (1878)  were  coined  with  eight  feathers  in  the  tail 
during  the  year,  but  seven  have  been  adopted. 

Silver. 

Trade  Dollar. 

Authorized  t®  be  coined,  Act  of  February  12, 1873.  Weight,  420  grains 
fineness,  900. 

1873.  Obverse : Liberty  seated  upon  a cotton  bale,  facing  left ; in  her  ex- 
tended right  hand  an  olive  branch  ; in  her  left  a scroll  incribed  “ liberty 
behind  her  a sheaf  of  wheat ; beneath,  a scroll  inscribed  “ in  god  we 
trust;”  thirteen  stars;  “1873.” 

Reverse : An  eagle  with  expanded  wings ; in  talons  three  arrows  and  an 
olive  branch ; above,  a scroll  inscribed  “ e pluribus  unum  ;”  beneath,  on. 
field,  “ 420  grains ;”  “ 900  fine.”  “ united  states  of  America.  Size,  24. 

Half  Dollar . 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  2,  1792.  Weight,  208  grains;, 
fineness,  892.4.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  2064  grains. 
Fineness  changed,  Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  900.  Weight  changed,  Act 
of  February  21, 1853,  to  192  grains.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  February  12, 
1873,  to  124  grammes,  or  192.9  grains. 

1794  and  1795.  Same  type  as  the  dollar  of  1794.  On  the  edge,  “Fifty 
CENTS  OR  HALF  A DOLLAR.”  Size,  21. 

1796.  No.  1.  Same  type  as  No.  2,  dollar  of  1795,  with  the  denomination, 
“ J,”  inscribed  on  the  base  of  the  reverse.  No.  2.  Same,  with  sixteen  starfe 
on  the  obverse. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


85 


1797.  Same  as  No.  2,  of  1796. 

1798  to  1800,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1801  to  1803,  inclusive.  Same  type  as  No.  3,  dollar  of  1798. 

1804.  None  issued. 

1805  and  1806.  Same  as  No.  3,  dollar  of  1798. 

1807.  No.  1.  Same. 

No.  2.  Obverse : Liberty  head  facing  left,  wearing  a kind  of  turban,  with 
* liberty”  inscribed  upon  the  band.  Thirteen  stars  and  date. 

Reverse : An  eagle  with  expanded  wings  pointing  downwards,  bearing 
upon  its  breast,  the  U.  S.  Shield,  an  olive  branch  and  three  arrows  in  its 
talons;  above,  in  the  field,  a scroll  inscribed  “e  pluribus  mum;”  beneath 
50  C.  “ UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA.” 

1808  to  1835  inclusive,  same  as  No.  2 of  1807. 

1836.  No.  1.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1807. 

No.  2.  Obverse:  Same. 

Reverse : An  eagle  with  expanded  wings  pointing  downwards,  the  U.  S. 
shield  upon  its  breast,  an  olive  branch  and  three  arrows  in  its  talons, 
u united  states  of  America,”  reeded  edge. 

1837.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1836. 

1838.  Obverse:  Same  as  No.  2 of  1836. 

Reverse : Same ; *'  half  dol.”  for  “ 50  c.” 

1839.  No.  1.  Same  as  1838. 

No.  2.  Same  type  as  dollar  of  1840. 

1840  to  1852  inclusive,  same. 

1853.  Obverse : Same  with  an  arrow  head  on  each  side  of  the  date. 

Reverse : Same,  with  a halo  of  rays  around  the  edge. 

1854.  Same,  without  the  rays. 

1855.  Same. 

1856  to  1865  inclusive,  same,  without  the  arrow  heads. 

1866  to  1872  inclusive,  same,  with  scroll  above  the  eagle  inscribed  “in 
god  wr  trust.”  (Some  have  been  occasionally  met  with,  which  have  been 
issued  by  the  San  Francisco  Mint,  without  this  legend  in  1866.) 

1873.  No.  1.  Same. 

No.  2.  Same,  with  arrow  heads  on  each  side  of  the  date. 

1874.  Same. 

1875.  Same,  without  the  arrow  heads. 

Silver. 

Quarter  Dollar . 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  2,  1792.  Weight,  104  grains; 
•fineness,  892.4.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  103^  grains 
Fineness  changed,  Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  900.  Weight  changed. 
Act  of  February  21,  1853,  to  96  grains.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  Febru- 
ary 12,  1873,  to  65-  grammes,  or  96.45  grains. 

1796.  Same  type  as  No.  2 dollar  of  1795,  with  reeded  edge;  size,  18; 
fifteen  stars. 

1797  to  1803.  None  issued. 

1804  to  1807,  inclusive.  Same  type  as  No.  3 dollar  of  1798,  beneath, 
“ 25c.” 

1808  to  1814,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1815.  Same  type  as  No.  2 half  dollar  of  1807. 

1816  and  1817.  None  issued. 

1818  to  1825,  inclusive.  Same  type  as  No.  2 half  dollar  of  1807,  size  17. 

1826.  None  issued. 

1827  and  1828.  Same  type  as  No.  2 half  dollar  of  1807. 

1829  and  1830.  None  issued. 


86 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OP 


1831  to  1837,  inclusive.  Same  type  as  half  dollar  of  1807,  with  the- 
diameter  reduced  from  size  17  to  size  15,  and  a corresponding  increase  in. 
thickness  and  decrease  of  the  size  of  devices,  and  the  omission  of  the^ 
scroll,  inscribed  “ e pluribus  unum.” 

1838.  No.  1.  Same  as  1837.  No.  2.  Same  type  as  the  dollar  of  1840, 

with  “ QUAR.  DOL.”  for  “ONE  DOLL,” 

1839  to  1852,  inclusive.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1838. 

1853.  No.  1.  Same.  No.  2.  Same,  with  arrow  heads  on  each  side  of 
date,  and  a halo  of  rays  around  the  edge. 

1854  and  1855.  Same,  without  the  rays. 

1856  to  1865.  Same,  without  the  arrow  heads. 

1866  to  1872,  inclusive.  Same,  with  the  scroll  above  the  eagle,  inscribed 

"iN  GOD  WE  TRUST.” 

1873.  No.  1.  Same.  No.  2.  Same,  with  an  arrow  head  on  each  side- 
of  the  date. 

1874.  Same. 

1875.  Same,  without  the  arrow  head. 

Twenty- Cent  Piece. 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  March  3,  1875.  Weight,  5 grammes,, 
or  77.16  grains;  fineness,  900.  Coinage  discontinued,  Act  of  May  2,  1878. 
1875  to  1878,  inclusive.  Obverse:  Same  type  as  the  dollar  of  1840. 
Reverse:  An  eagle  with  displayed  wings,  three  arrows,  and  an  olive 
branch,  two  of  the  leaves  of  which  nearest  the  stem,  together  with  those 
drooping  from  the  centre,  overlap ; the  terminating  leaves  on  the  end  of 
the  branch,  however,  do  not.  On  each  side  a star.  Plain  edge.  “ united 
STATES  OF  AMERICA.”  “ TWENTY  CENTS.”  Size,  14. 

Dime. 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  2,  1792.  Weight,  41.6  grains; 
fineness,  892.4.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  41£  grains. 
Fineness  changed,  Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  900.  Weight  changed,. 
Act  of  February  21,  1853,  to  38.4  grains.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1873,  to  2|  grammes,  or  38.58  grains. 

1796.  Same  type  as  the  No.  2 dollar  of  1795 ; size  13  ; fifteen  stars. 

1797.  No.  1.  Same,  with  sixteen  stars  on  the  obverse.  No.  2.  Same,, 
with  thirteen  stars  on  the  obverse. 

1798.  No.  1.  Same  type  as  No.  3 dollar  of  1798,  with  sixteen  stars.  No 
2.  With  thirteen  stars  on  the  obverse. 

1799.  None  issued. 

1800  to  1805,  inclusive.  Same  as  No.  3 of  1798. 

1806.  None  issued. 

1807.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1798. 

1808.  None  issued. 

1809.  Same  type  as  No.  2 half-dollar  of  1807  ; size,  12. 

1810.  None  issued. 

1811.  Same  as  1809. 

1812  to  1813,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1814.  Same  as  1809. 

1815  to  1819,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1820  to  1&25,  inclusive.  Same  as  1809. 

1826.  None  issued. 

1827  to  1836,  inclusive.  Same  as  1809. 

1837.  No.  1.  Same  as  1809.  No.  2.  Obverse:  Liberty  seatad.  No  stars* 
Reverse : “ one  dime  ” within  a wreath  of  laurel.  “ united  states  of* 

America.”  Size,  11. 

1838.  No.  1.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1837.  No.  2.  Same,  with  thirteen  stars. 
1839  to  1852,  inclusive..  Same  as  No.  2 of  1838. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


87 


1853.  No.  1.  Same.  No.  2.  Same,  with  an  arrow  head  on  each  side  of 
the  date. 

1854  and  1855.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1853. 

1856  to  1859,  inclusive.  Same,  without  arrow  heads. 

1860  to  1872,  inclusive.  Obverse:  Same,  with  “united  states  op 
America”  instead  of  stars. 

Reverse:  “one  dime”  within  a wreath  of  corn,  wheat,  cotton,  and 
tobacco. 

1873.  No.  1.  Same.  No.  2.  Same,  with  an  arrow  head  on  each  side  of 
the  date. 

1874.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1873. 

1875.  Same,  without  arrow  heads. 

Half  Dime. 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  2,  1792.  Weight,  20.8  grains; 
fineness,  892.4.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  20f  grains. 
Fineness  changed,  Act  of  January  18,  1837,  to  900.  Weight  changed,  Act 
of  February  21,  1853,  to  19.2  grains.  Coinage  discontinued,  Act  of  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1873. 

1794  and  1795.  Same  type  as  the  half  dollar;  size,  10. 

1796.  Same  type  as  No.  2 dollar  of  1795 ; fifteen  stars. 

1797.  No.  1.  Same,  with  fifteen  stars.  No.  2.  Same,  with  sixteen  stars. 
No.  3.  Same,  with  thirteen  stars. 

1798  and  1799.  None  issued. 

1800  to  1803,  inclusive.  Same  type  as  No.  3 dollar  of  1798. 

1804.  None  issued. 

1805.  Same  as  1800. 

1806  to  1828,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1829  to  1873.  See  dime. 

Three  Cent  Piece . 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  March  3,  1851.  Weight,  12f  grains  5 
fineness,  750.  Weight  changed,  Act  of  March  3,  1853,  to  11.52  grains. 
Fineness  changed,  Act  of  March  3,  1853,  to  900.  Coinage  discontinued, 
Act  of  February  12,  1873. 

1851  to  1853,  inclusive.  Obverse:  A star  bearing  the  United  States 
shield,  “united  states  of  America.” 

Reverse:  An  ornamented  “c,”  within  which  is  the  denomination  “ill;” 
around  the  border,  thirteen  stars;  size,  9. 

1854  to  1858.  Obverse:  Same,  with  two  lines  around  the  star. 

Reverse : An  olive  branch  above  the  “ 111,”  and  three  arrows  below,  all 
within  the  “ c.” 

1858  to  1873,  inclusive.  Same,  with  one  line  around  the  star. 

Minor  Coins. 

Five  cent  piece.  ( Nickle .) 

Authorized  to  be  coined.  Act  of  May  16,  1866.  Weight,  77.16  grains; 
composed  of  75  per  cent,  copper,  and  25  per  cent,  nickle. 

1866.  Obverse : A United  States  shield  surmounted  by  a cross,  an  olive 
branch  pendent  at  each  side,  back  of  the  base  of  the  shield  are  two  arrows, 
the  heads  and  feathers  are  only  visible ; beneath,  “ 1866 above,  in  the 
field,  “in  god  we  trust.” 

Reverse : “ 5 ” within  a circle  of  thirteen  stars,  and  rays,  “ UNITED  states 
OF  AMERICA.”  Size,  13. 

1867.  Same.  No.  2.  Same,  without  the  rays 

1868.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1867. 

1869  to  1882.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1867. 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OE 


1883.  No.  1.  Same.  No.  2.  Obverse : Liberty  head  wearing  a coronet 
which  is  inscribed  “ liberty,”  thirteen  stars,  and  date,  “ 1883.” 

Reverse : A “ V”  within  a wreath  of  corn  and  cotton.  Legend,  “ united 
states  of  America.”  Exergue,  “ e pluribus  unum.”  No.  3,  Obverse : 
Same  as  No.  2. 

Reverse : Same,  with  “ cents”  as  the  exergue,  and  “ e pluribus  unum ” 
above  the  wreath. 

1884.  Same  as  No.  3 of  the  preceding. 

Three  cent  'piece . ( Nickle .) 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  3,  1865.  Weight,  30  grains; 
composed  of  75  per  cent,  copper,  and  25  per  cent,  nickle. 

1865.  Obverse : Liberty  head,  facing  left,  hair  bound  by  a ribbon,  on  the 
forehead  a coronet  inscribed  “liberty;”  beneath,  the  date,  “united 
STATES  OF  AMERICA.” 

Reverse : “ in  ” within  a laurel  wreath. 

Minor  Coins. 

Two  Cent  Piece  (bronze). 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  22,  1864.  Weight,  96  grains, 
composed  of  ninety-five  per  cent,  copper  and  five  per  cent,  of  tin  and  zinc. 
Coinage  discontinued,  Act  of  February  12,  1873. 

1864  to  1873,  inclusive.  Obverse:  The  United  States  shield,  behind 
which  are  two  arrows,  crossed,  on  each  side  a branch  of  laurel ; above,  a 
scroll  inscribed  “ in  god  we  trust”;  beneath,  the  date. 

Reverse:  “2  cents”  within  a wreath  of  wheat,  “united  states  of 
America.”  Size,  14. 

Cent  {copper). 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  22,  1792.  Weight,  264  grains. 
Weight  changed,  Act  of  January  14,  1793,  to  208  grains.  Weight  changed 
by  proclamation  of  the  President,  January  26,  1796,  in  conformity  with  an 
Act  of,  March  3,  1795,  to  168  grains.  Coinage  discontinued,  Act  of  Feb- 
ruary 21,  1857. 

1793.  No.  1.  Obverse:  Liberty  head,  facing  right,  flowing  hair.  Above, 
“liberty”:  beneath,  “1793.” 

Reverse : A chain  of  fifteen  links,  within  which  is  inscribed  “one  cent” 
and  the  fraction  ‘VoV*  United  States  of  America  ; reeded  edge ; size,  17. 

No.  2.  Same,  with  the  abbreviation  “ ameri.”  in  the  Legend. 

No.  3.  Obverse:  Same  as  No.  1,  with  a sprig  beneath. 

Reverse:  “one  cent”  within  a wreath  of  laurel,  “united  states  of 
America.  Reeded  edge. 

No.  4.  Obverse:  A bust  of  Liberty,  facing  right,  with  pole  and  liberty 
cap.  Above,  “liberty”;  beneath,  “ 1793.” 

Reverse:  Same  as  No.  3;  on  the  edge,  “one  hundred  for  A dollar.* 
Size,  18. 

1794  and  1795.  Same  as  No.  4 of  1793. 

1796.  No.  1.  Same.  No.  2.  Same,  with  hair  bound  by  a ribbon,  and 
without  pole  and  liberty  cap  on  the  obverse.  Plain  edge. 

1797  to  1807  inclusive.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1796. 

1808  to  1814,  inclusive.  Obverse:  Liberty  head,  facing  left,  hair  confined 
by  a band,  inscribed  “ lirerty.”  Thirteen  stars  and  date. 

Reverse:  “one  cent,”  within  a laurel  wreath,  “united  states  op 
America”  The  fraction  “j^”  is  omitted. 

1815.  None  issued. 


; 


Washington  Coins. 


Rare  Colonial  Cent, 
of  New  Jersey. 

$160.00 


Double  Head 
Washington. 
$1.00 


Washington  Half  Dollar. 

1792. 

$50.00 


Liberty  and  Sect  bit  y 
Washington  Medal.  1795. 

$3.00 


Washington  Cent. 


1783. 

$1.00 


$40.00 


United  States  Silver  Coins. 


Prices  realized  at  recent  sales:  1849  dollar,  $13.00;  1794  dollar,  $225.00 ; 1794  half 
dollar,  $10.00 ; 1795  dollar,  $12.00 ; 1795  half  dollar,  $15.00 ; 1796  half  dollar  (15  stars) 
$251.00;  1796  half  dime,  $20.00;  1801  half  dollar,  $20.50 ; 1797  half  dime,  $13.50;  1796 
half  dollar  (16  stars),  $130.00;  1797  dollar,  $11.50;  1798  dime,  $85.00;  1800  dime 
$2/. 00;  1801  dollar,  $26.00;  1802  dime,  $40.00;  1803  dime,  $80.00;  1794  half  dime’ 
$16.00;  1802  half  dime,  $205.00 ; 1846,  half  dime,  $10.00 ; 1875  twenty -cent  piece,  $20.00.  ’ 


American  Colonial  Coins— Continued. 


Non  Dependens 
Status 

$45.00 


Carolina 
Elephant  Token. 


1694. 

$75.00 


Liber  Natus 
Libernatum  Defendo. 
First. 


$60.00 


Nova  Constellatio, 
“Quint.”  1783. 
$20.00 


New  York. 
$2.00 


Bar  Cent. 

$10.00 


Fugio. 

$2.00 


Nova  Constellatio, 
Immune  Columbia. 

$40.00 


Myddelton  Token. 
$20.00 


American  Colonial  Coins — Continued. 


Fugio.  Rare.  $50.00 


Myddleton  Token. 


1794  Dollar.  Copper. 

$40.00  $11-00 


Rosa  Americana  Farthing. 
$12.00 


Immunis  Columbia, 
$40.00 


Pitt  Token. 

$5.00 


N.  Y.  Token, 
$2.00 


Massachusetts  Cent. 

$2.00 


American  Colonial  Coins — Continued, 


George  Clinton 
Copper.  1787. 


$32.00 


Kentucky  Token. 


$4.00 


Immunis  Columbia. 

1787. 

$10.00 


Washington  Coins. 


Washington  Cent. 

1783. 

$1.00 


Washington  Liverpool 
Half  Penny. 


1793. 


$3.00 


Washington  Medal.  1789. 
$5.00 


“ Naked  Lust.” 
Washington  Cent. 
1792. 

$37.00 


Washington  Cent.  1791. 
$5.00 


American  Colonial  Coins — Continued 


Sommer  Island. 
Shilling. 
$75.00 


Rosa  Americana. 
$20.00 


New  England 
Elephant  Token. 
Yery  Rare.  1694. 

$70.00 


New  jersey 
Immunis. 
$50.00 


Massachusetts  Half  Cent. 

$4.00 


CONFEDERATIO 
INIMICA,  ETC. 
$60.00 


Rhode  Island  Medal. 

$3-00 


FUGIO. 

“ Mind  Your  Business.” 


$3.00 


Various  Ancient  Coins. 


THE  AS. 

Earliest  Eoman  Coin.  About  500  B.  C. 


Rhodes. 


Sybaris. 


Ancient  Greek  and  Roman  Coins. 


Antiochus  YII. 


Antiochus  YIII. 
Epiphanes. 


Abdera. 


Prusias 


Widow’s  Mite. 


Panormus.  Alexander  the  Great. 


\ 


United  States  Copper  Cents  and  Half  Cents — Continued. 


$8.50 


$28.00 


$40.00 


$75.00 


$18.50 


$5.00 


$10.50 


$18.00 


$23.00 


$18.00 


$30.00 


$16.00 


$23.00  $24.00 


$4.00 


$17.50 


$16.00 


dollar  *Rt9nAab?I5«COiniSi  bro!^ht  at  recent  sales  in  New  York:  1804  dollar,  $1,000.00 ; 18J 
$50  00.  mo°i  if 46 tlfinn ’ 1847  dollar,  $23.75;  1848  dollar,  $20.00;  1851  dolla 

18">2oii^?f^  Sf’  fofn0?-’  18t?  dollar’  $40-0°;  1796  quarter,  $18.00  ; 1815  quarter,  $5.5( 
quarter,  $6.00 ; 1809  dime,  $18.00  ; 1846  dime,  $10.00. 


United  States  Silver  Coins — Continued. 


Rev.  of  1804  Dollar, 

“ The  King  among  Rarities.” 


United  States  Copper  Cents  and  Half  Cents — Continued. 


$90.00 


$25.00 


$27.00 


$40.00 


$110.00 


$15.50 


HSfim 

$57.00 


11^ 

$65.00 


$11.00 


$12.00 


$22.00 


$34.00 


$9.00  $19.00 


$26.00 


$26.00 


$19.75 


$56.00 


United  States  Pattern  Pieces. 


Half  Dollar. 
$2.00 


One  Cent. 
$3.00 


Two  Cent. 
$3.00 


Twenty  Cent. 
$10.00 


One  Cent.  1854. 
$2.00 


Confederate  States  Half  Hollar. 


Value,  $000.00 


The  Lord’s  Prayer  Medalet. 

This  fac-simile  presents  the  smallest  space  in  which  the  Lord’s  Prayer 
was  ever  known  to  be  struck  on  metal. 

It  was  made  on  the  first  “ Steam  Coining  Press,”  used  by  the  U.  S. 
Mint  in  1836.  This  press  is  now  in  the  possession  of  G.  B.  Soley, 
Philadelphia. 

Th  ese  medalets  are  not  for  sale  at  the  Mint,  but  are  presented  to 
purchasers  of  the  Mint  book. 


United  States  Eagles  and  Half  Eagles, 


No.  1.  $19.50 


No.  2.  $27.00 


No.  5.  $11.75. 


No.  4.  $46.00 


Rev.  of  Nos.  1,  2,  3. 


Rev.  of  Nos.  4,  5,  6. 


No.  6.  $12.50 


No.  1.  $9.00 


No.  4.  $235.00 


No.  5 $40.00  No.  6.  $900.00 


sums' 


United  States  Cents  and  Half  Cents, 

With  prices  at  the  recent  sales. 


$80.00 


$70.00 


$51.00 


$51.00 


$167.00 


$79.00 


$80.00 


$75.00 


$85.00 


$25.00  $19.00 


$21.00 


$15.00 


$18.00 


$16.00 


$24.00 


$52.00 


$13.00 


Silver  Colonial  Coins- — with  prices  at  recent  sales. 


$210.00 


$15.00 


$15.00 


$16.00 


$15.50 


$17.25  $30.00 


$10.50 


$28.00 


$101.00 


$50.00 


$130.00 


$12.00 


$50.00 


$175.00 


$25.00  $30.00 


$30.00 


United  States  Half  Cents 


$21.00 


$18.00  $15.75 


$16.00 


Indian  Wampum. 

Used  as  money  by  the  early  Indian  tribes  of  America. 


American  Colonial  Coins — Continued. 


$14.50 


$35.00 


$20.00  $15.00 


$29.00 


$15.00 


$45.00 


$5.00 


$275.00 


$22.00 


$152.50  $78.00 


$12.00  $6.50 


$30.00  $100.00 


United  States  Half  Cents — Continued. 


Medal  of  1776,  Commemorative  of  the  Nations  Independence. 


Ancient  and 


Modern  Japanese  Gold  Coin. 


The  large  coin — Oban — value,  $75.  Under  the  old  regime  the  penalty  was 
death  for  taking  it  out  of  the  country ; but,  if  taken  out  by  accident,  the  punish- 
ment was  imprisonment  for  life. 


i 


United  States  Gold  Hale  and  Quarter  Eagles — Continued. 


No.  8.  $50.00 


No.  9.  $40.00  Rev.  4 to  9. 


No.  7.  $12.75 


$44.00 


Reverse. 


$49.00 


$85.00 


Reverse. 


$15.00  $14.00 


$17.50 


$4.75 


Rev. 


$33.50 


$20.00 


$20.00 


$9.00 


$50.00 


$12.50 


$11.50 


Rev. 


Philadelphia  Mint.  Unique. 


J-±-i  > UJ-v 


5 ^ 


Nearly  Unique. 


$4.25 


$8.00 


$10.00 


$12.75 


$19.00 


1 


Various  United  States  Gold  Coins 


Half  Eagle,  1849. 

$5.00 


Eagle,  1795. 

$19.50 


Half  Eagle,  1885.  Rev. 

$5.00 


Eagle,  1849. 

$10.00 


Half  Eagle,  1795. 


Eagle,  1885. 


$9.00 


$10.00 


Three  Dollars, 
1885. 

$4.00 


Quarter  Eagle, 
1847. 

$3.00 


Quarter  Eagle, 
1885. 

$3.00 


Gold  Dollar, 
1885. 

$2.00 


/Ancient  Chinese  Coins. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


89 


1816.  Obverse:  Liberty  head,  facing  left,  the  hair  is  confined  by  a roll, 
und  tied  by  a cord,  whilet  he  forehead  is  bedecked  with  a tiara,  inscribed 

“ LIBERTY.” 

Reverse  : Same  as  1808. 

1817.  No.  1.  Same.  No.  2.  Same,  with  fifteen  stars. 

1818  to  1836.  Same  as  No.  1 of  1817. 

1837.  No.  1.  Same.  No.  2.  Same,  with  the  hair  tied  by  a string  of  beads 
dnstead  of  a cord. 

1838  to  1857,  inclusive.  Same  as  No.  2 of  1837. 

Cent  (. Nickle ). 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  February  21,  1857.  Weight  72  grains; 
-composed  of  88  per  cent,  copper  and  12  per  cent,  nickle.  Coinage  discon- 
tinued, Act  of  April  22,  1864. 

1857  and  1858.  Obverse.:  An  eagle  flying  to  the  left,  “united  states 

OF  AMERICA.” 

Reverse:  “one  cent,”  within  a wreath  of  corn,  wheat,  cotton,  and  to- 
bacco. Size,  11. 

1859.  Obverse : An  Indian-head,  facing  left,  bedecked  with  eagle  plumes, 
confined,  “united  states  of  America.”  Beneath,  the  date. 

Reverse : “ one  cent,”  within  a wreath  of  laurel. 

1860  to  1864,  inclusive.  Obverse : Same. 

Reverse : “ one  cent,”  within  an  oak  wreath  and  shield. 

Cent  [Bronze). 

Coinage  authorized,  Act  of  April  22, 1857.  Weight,  48  grains ; composed 
#f  95  per  cent,  copper  and  5 per  cent,  of  tin  and  zinc. 

1864.  Same  type  as  nickle  cent  of  1860.  Size,  12. 

Half  Cent  (Copper). 

Authorized  to  be  coined,  Act  of  April  2,  1792.  Weight,  132  grains. 
Weight  changed,  Act  of  January  14,  1793,  to  104  grains.  Weight  changed 
by  proclamation  of  the  President,  January  26,  1796,  in  conformity  with 
Act  of  March  3,  1795,  to  84  grains.  Coinage  discontinued,  Act  of  Febru- 
ary 21,  1857. 

1793.  Same  type  as  cent  No.  4,  1793,  with  head  facing  left.  On  the 
•edge,  “two  hundred  for  a dollar.”  Size,  14. 

1794.  Same  type  as  the  cent  of  1794. 

1795  to  1797,  inclusive.  Same,  with  plain  edge. 

1798  and  1799.  None  issued. 

1800.  Same  type  as  No.  2 cent  of  1796,  with  the  fraction  “ sib-”  on  the 
base  of  the  reverse. 

1801.  None  issued. 

1802  to  18Q8,  inclusive.  Same  as  1800.  From  1808,  the  fraction  ” 
omitted. 

1809  to  1811,  inclusive.  Same  type  as  cent  of  1808. 

1812  to  1824,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1825  and  1826.  Same  type  as  cent  of  1808. 

1827.  None  issued. 

1828.  No.  1.  Same  type  as  cent  1808,  with  thirteen  stars.  No.  2. 
Same,  with  twelve  stars. 

1829.  Same,  with  thirteen  stars. 

1830.  None  issued. 

1831  to  1836,  inclusive.  Same  type  as  cent  of  1808.  • 

1837  to  1839,  inclusive.  None  issued. 

1840  to  1857,  inclusive.  Same  type  as  No.  2 cent  of  1837 ; size,  14. 


90 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


THOMAS  JEFFERSON, 

an  eminent  American  Statesman,  and  third  President  of  the 
United  States,  was  born  April  2,  1743,  at  Shad-well,  Vir- 
ginia, near  the  spot  which  afterwards  became  his  residence, 
with  the  name  of  Monticello.  He  was  the  oldest  son  in  a 
family  of  eight  children.  His  father,  Peter  Jefferson,  was  a 
man  of  great  force  of  character  and  of  extraordinary  physi- 
cal strength.  His  mother,  Jane  Randolph,  of  Goochland,  was- 
descended  from  an  English  family  of  great  note  and  respecta- 
bility. Young  Jefferson  began  his  classical  studies  at  the  age: 
of  nine,  and  at  seventeen  he  entered  an  advance  class  at  William 
and  Mary  College  ; on  his  way  thither,  he  formed  the  acquaint- 
ance of  Patrick  Henry,  who  was  then  a bankrupt  merchant, 
but  who  afterwards  became  the  great  orator  of  the  Revolution. 
At  college,  Jefferson  was  distinguished  by  his  close  application, 
and  devoted,  it  is  said,  from  twelve  to  fifteen  hours  per  day  to 
study,  and  we  are  told  became  well  versed  in  Latin,  Greek, 
Italian,  French,  and  Spanish,  at  the  same  time  proficient  in  his* 
mathematical  studies.  After  a few  years  course  of  law  under 
Judge  Wythe,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1767.  His  suc- 
cess in  the  legal  profession  was  remarkable  ; his  fees  during  the 
first  year  amounted  to  nearly  three  thousand  dollars.  In  1769, 
Jefferson  commenced  his  public  career  as  a member  of  the 
Virginia  House  of  Burgesses,  in  which  he  had  while  a student 
of  law,  listened  to  Patrick  Henry’s  great  speech  on  the  Stamp 
Act.  In  1773  he  united  with  Patrick  Henry  and  other  revo- 
lutionary patriots  in  devising  the  celebrated  committee  of  cor- 
respondence for  disseminating  intelligence  between  the  Colonies, 
of  which  Jefferson  was  one  of  the  most  active  and  influential 
members.  He  was  elected  in  1774  to  a convention  to  choose- 
delegates  to  the  first  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia, 
and  introduced  at  that  convention  his  famous  “ Summary  view 
of  the  rights  of  British  America.”  On  the  21st  of  June,  1775, 
Jefferson  took  his  seat  in  the  Continental  Congress.  His 
reputation  as  a Statesman  and  accomplished  writer  at  once 
placed  him  among  the  leaders  of  that  renowned  body.  He 
served  on  the  most  important  committees,  and  among  other 
papers  drew  up  the  reply  of  Congress  to  the  proposal  of  Lord 
North,  and  assisted  in  preparing  in  behalf  of  the  Colonies,  a 
declaration  of  the  cause  of  taking  up  arms  against  the  Mother 
Country.  The  rejection  of  a final  petition  to  King  George,, 
destroyed  all  hope  of  an  honorable  reconciliation  with  England. 
Congress,  early  in  1776,  appointed  a committee  to  draw  up  a 
Declaration  of  Independence,  of  which  Jefferson  was  made 
Chairman ; in  this  capacity  he  drafted,  at  the  request  of  the 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


91 


other  members  of  the  committee,  (Franklin,  Adams,  Sherman,, 
and  Livingston),  and  reported  to  Congress,  June  28,  the  great 
Charter  of  Freedom,  known  as  the  “ Declaration  of  American^ 
Independence,”  which,  on  July  4,  was  unanimously  adopted,, 
and  signed  by  every  member  present,  with  a single  exception*. 
“ The  Declaration  of  Independence,”  says  Edward  Everett, 
“ is  equal  to  anything  ever  borne  on  parchment,  or  expressed 
in  the  visible  signs  of  thought.”  u The  heart  of  Jefferson  in 
writing  it,”  adds  Bancroft,  “ and  of  Congress  in  adopting  it,. 
beat  for  all  humanity .”  After  resigning  his  seat  in  Congress,. 
Jefferson  revised  the  laws  of  Virginia;  among  other  reforms,; 
he  procured  the  repeal  of  the  laws  of  entail,  the  abolition  of: 
primogeniture,  and  the  restoration  of  the  rights  of  conscience, 
a reform  which  he  believed  would  abolish  “every  fibre  of 
ancient  or  future  aristocracy;”  he  also  originated  a complete 
system  of  elementary  and  collegiate  education  for  Virginia. 
In  1779,  Jefferson  succeeded  Patrick  Henry  as  Governor  of 
Virginia,  and  held  the  office  during  the  most  gloomy  period  of 
the  Revolution,  and  declined  a re-election  in  1781.  In  1783,. 
he  returned  to  Congress,  and  reported  the  treaty  of  peace,, 
concluded  at  Paris,  September  3,  1783,  acknowledging  the* 
independence  of  the  United  States.  He  also  proposed  and 
carried  through  Congress  a bill  establishing  the  present  Federal 
system  of  coinage,  which  took  the  place  of  the  English  pounds,, 
shillings,  pence,  etc.,  and  also  introduced  measures  for  estab- 
lishing a Mint  in  Philadelphia,  (the  first  public  building  built 
by  the  general  Government,  still  standing  on  Seventh  street,, 
east  side,  near  Filbert).  In  1785,  he  succeeded  Dr.  Franklin? 
as  resident  Minister  at  Paris.  In  organizing  the  Government 
after  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  he  accepted  the  position 
of  Secretary  of  State,  tendered  him  by  President  Washington 
during  his  first  term.  Jefferson  was  Vice-President  of  the 
United  States  from  1797  to  1801,  and  President  for  the  two 
consecutive  terms  following.  After  participating  in  the  inaugu- 
ration of  his  friend  and  successor,  James  Madison,  Jefferson 
returned  to  Monticello,  where  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his 
life  in  directing  the  educational  and  industrial  institutions  of 
his  native  State  and  entertaining  his  many  visitors  and  friends. 
His  death  occurred  on  the  same  day  with  that  of  John  Adams.* 
July  4,  1826. 


92 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


ALEXANDER  HAMILTON, 

Statesman,  orator,  and  financier,  born  in  the  West  Indian 
island  of  Nevis,  11th  of  J anuary,  17 57.  His  father  was  a Scotch 
merchant,  and  his  mother  was  the  daughter  of  a F rench  Huguenot. 
He  was  educated  at  King’s  College,  N.  Y.  When  he  was  18 
years  of  age  he  surprised  the  people  by  his  public  speeches  and 
pamphlets  in  favor  of  American  independence.  He  was  com- 
missioned Captain  of  a Company  of  Artillery  in  March,  1776, 
and  served  with  distinction  at  the  battles  of  Long  Island,  White 
Plains,  Trenton,  and  Princeton,  and  was  appointed  Aid-de-camp 
and  Private  Secretary  to  General  Washington  in  March, 
1777,  and  gained  his  special  favor  and  confidence  in  planning 
campaigns  and  devising  means  to  support  the  army.  In  1782 
he  was  elected  a member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and 
Washington  expressed  the  opinion  that  no  one  excelled  him  in 
probity  and  sterling  virtue.  He  was  an  active  member  of  an 
anti-slavery  party  in  New  York,  and  offered  a resolution  in 
1784,  that  every  member  of  that  society  should  liberate  his  own 
slaves.  He  was  a delegate  to  the  convention  which  met  in 
Philadelphia  in  May,  1787,  to  form  a Federal  Constitution  and 
to  promote  the  Union  of  the  States,  and  it  appears  was  the 
principal  author  of  the  movement.  Hamilton  was  appointed 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  in  1789,  at  the  time  the  nation  was 
burdened  with  a heavy  debt,  almost  destitute  of  credit,  and 
on  the  verge  of  bankruptcy.  The  results  of  his  financial  policy 
were  the  restoration  of  public  credit,  protection  to  American 
industry,  and  a rapid  revival  of  trade  and  commerce.  He  re- 
signed his  office  to  resume  his  practice  of  law,  January  81, 
1795.  He  declined  the  position  of  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States  previously  tendered  him.  Wash- 
ington testified  his  great  esteem  for  Hamilton  by  consulting 
him  in  the  preparation  of  his  Farewell  Address,  as  well  as 
in  many  other  acts  of  his  noble  career. 

In  1804,  Aaron  Burr,  presenting  himself  as  a candidate  for 
Governor  of  New  York,  but  Hamilton  opposed  his  election 
expressing  the  opinion  that  “Burr  was  a dangerous  man  and 
unfit  to  be  trusted  with  power.”  The  election  of  Gen.  Lewis 
blasted  the  ambitious  projects  of  Burr,  who  insolently  de- 
manded an  explanation  of  Hamilton,  and  finally  challenged 
him,  Hamilton  accepted  the  challenge,  was  mortally  wounded 
at  Weehawken,  and  died  July  12,  1804.  His  death  was  pro- 
foundly lamented  throughout  the  country. 

Note. — His  eldest  sou  had  beeu  killed  in  a duel  by  a political  adversary  about  1802* 
Mr.  Hamilton  was  the  principal  author  of  the  Federalist,  and  the  real  father  of  our 
financial  system.  Immediately  after  adopting  the  constitution,  he  strongly  advocated 
the  establishment  of  a Mint,  so  that  the  New  World  would  not  be  dependant  on  the  Old 
Jor  a circulating  medium. 


ALEXANDER  HAMILTON. 


y:.:V; ''i:  v; 


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THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


93 


HON.  JAMES  PUTNAM  KIMBALL, 

Director  op  the  Mint,  appointed  in  1885,  resigned  in  1889. 

was  born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  April  26,  1836.  After  graduating 
at  the  High  School  of  his  native  town  in  1854,  he  entered 
the  Lawrence  Scientific  School  of  Harvard  University.  In 
the  summer  of  the  following  year  he  went  to  Germany,  and 
matriculated  at  the  University  of  Frederick  Wilhelm,  Berlin, 
in  the  Fall  of  the  same  year,  and  was  graduated  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  George  Augusta,  at  Gottingen,  in  the  Autumn  of 
1857,  with  the  degrees  of  Master  of  Arts  and  Doctor  of 
Philosophy.  Upon  his  graduation  he  entered  upon  a prac- 
tical course  in  Mining  and  Metallurgy,  at  the  Mining  School 
of  Freiburg,  in  Saxony. 

After  making  a tour  of  the  Continent  and  England,  he  re- 
turned home  and  engaged  as  the  Assistant  of  Prof.  J.  D. 
Whitney,  now  of  Harvard  University,  in  the  State  Geological 
Surveys  of  the  States  of  Wisconsin  and  Illinois,  embraoing 
the  Upper  Mississippi  lead  region.  He  continued  with  Prof. 
Whitney  during  the  survey,  comprising  the  southeastern  part 
of  Iowa. 

On  the  establishment  of  the  New  York  State  Agricultural 
College  at  Ovid,  the  foundation  of  which  was  subsequently 
merged  with  that  of  Cornell  University,  Dr.  Kimball  was 
appointed  to  the  Chair  of  Professor  of  Chemistry  and  Eco- 
nomic Geology.  Upon  the  appointment  of  the  President  of 
the  college,  Gen.  Patrick,  as  Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers, 
Dr.  Kimball  became  that  officer’s  Chief  of  Staff,  with  a com- 
mission from  the  President  of  the  United  States,  as  Assistant 
Adjutant- General  of  Volunteers,  with  the  rank  of  Captain. 
This  was  in  1862.  His  first  service  in  the  field  was  with  the 
Army  of  the  Rappahannock,  under  Gen.  McDowell.  He  took 
p^rt  in  numerous  engagements,  notably,  those  of  Groveton, 
Manassas,  Chantilly,  South  Mountain,  Antietam,  Fredericks- 
burg, Chancellorsville,  and  Gettysburg.  General  Patrick  hav- 
ing been  assigned  to  duty  as  Provost-Marshal  of  the  Army 
of  the  Potomac,  Capt.  Kimball  accompanied  him,  and  served 
on  the  General  Staff  of  that  army  under  Generals  McClellan, 
Burnside,  Hooker,  and  Meade,  successively. 

When  the  army  went  into  winter  quarters,  Capt.  Kimball, 
whose  health  had  become  impaired,  resigned  from  the  army, 
and  settled  in  New  York.  He  resumed  the  practice  of  his 
profession  as  Mining  Engineer  and  Metallurgist.  Upon  his 
marriage,  in  1874,  he  accepted  an  honorary  Professorship  in 
Lehigh  University,  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  removing  from  New  York 
to  one  of  the  houses  in  the  beautiful  park  and  grounds  of  that 


94 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


institution,  though  retaining  his  office  and  business  in  New 
York  City. 

Dr.  Kimball  has  been  largely  identified  with  the  mineral 
•development  of  Bedford  County,  Pa.,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
appointment  as  Director  of  the  Mints,  was  President  of  the 
Everett  Iron  Company,  whose  blast  furnace,  built  in  1883-84, 
is  one  of  the  largest  and  finest  in  this  country.  As  a scientist 
he  is  a contributor  to  various  scientific  journals  at  home  and 
abroad,  aud  among  others  the  American  Journal  of  Science, 
published  at  New  Haven.  Several  of  his  papers  have  appeared 
in  the  proceedings  of  the  American  Institute  of  Mining  Engi- 
neers, of  which  he  has  been  Vice  President.  Dr.  Kimball  has 
traveled  extensively  in  the  United  States,  Mexico,  and  the 
West  Indies,  in  prosecuting  his  professional  practice,  and  as  a 
man  of  scientific  accomplishments  and  of  affairs,  bears  a de- 
servedly high  reputation. 

Dr.  Kimball  comes  of  Revolutionary  stock.  His  paternal 
great-grandfather,  William  Russell,  of  Boston,  was  associated 
with  the  Sons  of  Liberty,  and  the  leaders  in  public  affairs  in 
the  times  that  tried  men’s  souls.  He  was  present,  disguised  as 
as  an  Indian,  and  assisted  in  the  famous  Tea  Party  in  Boston 
harbor  on  the  memorable  16th  of  December,  1773.  Later, 
Mr.  Russell  was  adjutant  of  the  Massachusetts  Artillery,  raised 
for  the  defense  of  Boston,  and  which  served  in  the  Rhode 
Island  campaign  of  1777—78.  Still  later,  while  serving  as 
Secretary  to  Commander  John  Manley,  of  the  U.  S.  war  vessel 
Jason,  Russell  was  captured  by  the  British  frigate  Surprise, 
and  confined  in  Mill  prison  till  June  24,  1782,  when  he  was 
exchanged.  But  so  sturdy  a patriot  could  not  rest  unemployed, 
and  twenty  days  after  his  liberation,  found  him  again  in  the 
naval  service.  He  was  again  made  prisoner  by  the  British,  in 
November  following,  and  consigned  to  the  notorious  British 
prison  ship,  Jersey,  lying  off  New  York. 

An  anecdote  is  related  by  Mr.  James  Kimball,  father  of  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  in  a memoir  on  the  Tea  Party  in  Boston 
harbor  furnished  the  Essex  Institute  Historical  collections 
(1874),  which  illustrates  the  temper  of  Mr.  Russell  as  a patriot. 
Returning  to  his  home  after  the  destruction  of  the  tea,  he  took 
off  his  shoes,  and  carefully  dusted  them  over  the  fire ; he  then 
took  the  tea  canister  and  emptied  its  contents.  Next  morning 
lie  had  printed  on  one  side  of  the  canister,  “ Coffee,”  and  on 
the  other,  “ No  Tea.”  This  was  the  brief  decree  of  banish- 
ment promulgated  by-  the  Tea  Destroyers,  and  the  prohibited 
luxury  disappeared  from  their  tables.  t 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


95 


HON.  JOHN  JAY  KNOX, 

Late  Comptroller  of  the  Currency,  then  President  of  the  Na- 
tional Bank  of  the  Republic,  New  York  City.  We  are 
indebted  to  The  Financier , August , 1885,  for  the  following 
biographical  sketch  : 

Hon.  John  Jay  Knox  was  Comptroller  or  Deputy  Comp- 
troller of  the  National  currency  for  seventeen  years.  He  was 
hom  in  Oneida  county,  New  York,  March  19,  1828.  His  an- 
cestors were  Scotch  Irish,  and  came  originally  from  Strabane, 
County  Tyrone,  Ireland,  in  1759.  He  received  his  early  edu- 
cation at  the  Augusta  Academy  and  the  Watertown  Classical 
Institute,  and  was  graduated  from  Hamilton  College  in  the  Class 
of  1849.  Among  those  in  college  with  him  were  Senator  Hawley 
of  Connecticut,  and  Chas.  Dudley  Warner.  After  leaving  col- 
lege he  became  teller  in  a bank  at  Y ernon,  of  which  his  father 
was  President,  at  a salary  of  $300  a year,  where  he  remained 
from  1850  to  1852.  He  spent  some  time  in  the  Burnet  Bank 
'it  Syracuse,  and  was  afterwards  cashier  of  the  Susquehanna 
Yalley  Bank  at  Binghampton.  He  and  his  brother,  Henry 
M.  Knox,  established  a banking  house  at  St.  Paul,  Minnesota, 
in  1857,  shortly  before  that  State  was  admitted  into  the  Union. 

The  first  steamboat  launched  on  the  Red  River  of  the  North, 
establishing  a most  important  communication  for  the  business 
interests  of  Minnesota,  was  transported  in  the  dead  of  winter 
-across  country  on  runners,  from  Sauk  Rapids  to  Breckenridge, 
and  Mr.  Knox  was  one  of  the  few  who  paid  the  expenses  of 
the  enterprise. 

In  the  financial  discussions  which  preceded  the  establish- 
ment of  the  National  banks,  Mr.  Knox  took  a prominent  part, 
and  made  many  valuable  suggestions  on  the  currency  question. 
He  advocated  a safe  and  convertible  currency,  the  issue  of  a 
uniform  series  of  circulating  notes  to  all  the  banks,  and  the 
guarantee  by  the  Government  of  circulation  secured  by  its 
own  bonds. 

In  1862  he  was  introduced  to  Secretary  Chase  and  the  Hon. 
Hugh  McCulloch,  then  Comptroller  of  the  currency.  The  at- 
tention of  the  Secretary  had  previously  been  attracted  to  the 
financial  articles  of  Mr.  Knox,  published  in  Hunt's  Merchants' 
Magazine. 

He  was  shortly  afterward  appointed  to  a clerkship  under 
Treasurer  Spinner,  and  was  subsequently  transferred  to  the 
office  of  Mr.  Chase,  as  disbursing  clerk,  at  a salary  of  $2,000 
& year.  After  three  years  in  this  position  he  became  cashier 
of  the  Exchange  National  Bank  at  Norfolk,  Va.,  but  finding 


96 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


the  southern  climate  uncongenial,  after  a year  he  returned  to 
Washington.  He  was  commissioned  by  Secretary  McCulloch 
to  examine  the  mint  at  San  Francisco,  and  to  select  a site  there- 
for a new  one.  His  report  upon  the  Mint  service  of  the 
Pacific  Coast  was  printed  in  the  Finance  Report  of  1866,  with 
a complimentary  notice  by  the  Secretary.  The  site  selected 
was  purchased  from  Eugene  Kelly  of  New  York  for  $100,000. 

He  subsequently  visited  New  Orleans  and  discovered  a de- 
ficiency of  $1,100,000  in  the  office  of  the  Assistant  Treasurer. 
He  took  possession  of  that  office,  and  for  some  weeks  acted  as. 
Assistant  Treasurer  of  the  United  States. 

The  promotion  of  Mr.  Knox  to  the  office  in  which  he  was 
able  to  do  himself  the  most  credit,  and  perform  those  services 
io  the  country  which  are  part  and  parcel  of  its  financial  pro- 
gress, occurred  in  186T.  At  this  time  a vacancy  was  brought 
about  in  the  Deputy- Comptrollership  of  the  Currency,  and 
Secretary  McCulloch  appointed  him  to  fill  it.  Until  May  1, 
1884,  he  remained  as  Deputy  or  head  of  the  Bureau,  his  terms 
of  office  being  as  follows  : Five  years  as  Deputy-Comptroller, 
from  186T  to  1872;  five  years  as  Comptroller,  from  1872  to 
1877,  appointed  by  General  Grant;  five  years,  second  term 
as  Comptroller,  from  1877  to  1882,  by  President  Hayes,  on 
the  recommendation  of  Secretary  Sherman — the  reappoint- 
ment being  made  without  his  knowledge,  before  the  expiration 
of  the  preceding  term,  and  confirmed  by  the  Senate  without, 
reference  to  any  committee.  He  was  again  reappointed,  by 
President  Arthur,  April  12,  1882. 

EDWARD  OWEN  LEECH, 

Appointed  Director  of  the  Mint  October  16,  1889,  is  a lineal 
descendent  of  Lawrence  Leach,  who  was  born  in  England  in 
1589,  and  died  in  Salem,  Mass.,  in  1662.  This  ancestor  of 
Mr.  Leech  was  one  of  the  “planters”  who  came  to  America 
with  Rev.  Francis  Higginson  in  1629,  and  was  a man  of 
considerable  repute  in  his  native  land.  He  was  for  many 
years  Salem’s  representative  in  the  Colonial  Legislature. 

Edward  O.  Leech’s  great-grandfather  was  Captain  Hezekiah 
Leach,  and  served  in  the  French,  Indian  and  Revolutionary 
Wars. 

His  father  was  Daniel  D.  Tompkins  Leech,  who  was  born 
in  Nassau,  New  York,  in  1810,  graduated  at  Union  College 
in  1829,  taught  languages  there,  and  was  afterwards  a tutor 
in  the  Albany  Academy  under  Joseph  Henry.  He  removed 
to  Washington  in  1837,  and  for  over  thirty  years  was  a 


S-4 

- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


97 


trusted  Government  official  in  the  Post  Office  and  Treasury 
Departments,  where  his  linguistic  attainments  enabled  him  to 
render  exceptionally  valuable  services  to  the  public  until  his 
death  in  1869,  in  the  fifty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  It  was 
characteristic  of  his  mental  activity  and  elasticity,  as  well  as 
of  his  philanthropic  and  patriotic  nature,  that  during  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion,  when  over  fifty  years  of  age,  he  mas- 
tered the  German  language  in  order  to  enable  him  to  talk  to 
and  encourage  the  soldiers  of  German  nativity  in  the  service 
of  the  country. 

Edward  Owen  Leech,  the  subject  of  the  present  sketch, 
was  born  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  December  9,  1850,  and  at 
the  date  of  his  appointment  was  thirty-eight  years  of  age,  the 
youngest  Director  the  Mint  service  has  ever  had.  He  re- 
ceived his  education  at  the  Everett  Institute,  at  Washington, 
D.  C.,  and  afterwards  at  the  Columbian  University,  from 
which  institution  he  graduated  in  1869,  receiving  the  degree 
of  A.  B.,  and  taking  the  second  honor  in  the  class.  On  the 
death  of  his  father  he  received  an  appointment  as  clerk  in 
the  Bureau  of  Statistics,  Treasury  Department,  at  a salary  of 
$1,200  per  annum,  which  was  soon  increased  to  $1,400. 
When  the  Bureau  of  the  Mint  was  organized,  in  April,  1873, 
Mr.  Leech  was  selected  by  Dr.  H.  R.  Linderman,  the  first 
Director,  as  one  of  his  assistants.  His  salary  was  soon  in- 
creased to  $1,800.  He  held  successively  the  positions  of 
assay  clerk,  adjuster  of  accounts  and  computer  of  bullion,  in 
the  Bureau  of  the  Mint.  In  1887,  while  serving  in  the 
latter  capacity,  Mr.  Leech’s  salary  was,  by  Act  of  Congress, 
raised  to  $2,500  per  annum,  on  account  of  efficiency  in  his 
responsible  position. 

While  thus  engrossed  with  important  Government  duties 
during  the  day,  Mr.  Leech  found  leisure,  or  rather  made  it,  in 
the  evening  to  take  a course  of  law  at  the  National  Law 
University  at  Washington,  and  was  graduated  as  Master  of 
Laws  in  1886,  after  a three  years’  course  of  study,  in  each  of 
which  he  carried  off  the  gold  metal  for  proficiency  in  his  class, 
an  honor  never  before  attained  by  any  student  in  the  history 
of  the  University.  After  his  graduation  in  law,  however,  Mr. 
Leech  decided  not  to  enter  upon  the  active  practice  of  tho 
profession,  but  continued  in  his  position  in  the  Bureau  of  the 
Mint,  taking  special  charge  of  the  technical  bullion  and  coin 
accounts,  and  making  special  and  annual  examinations  of  the 
mints  and  assay  offices,  duties  for  which  his  thorough  famil- 
iarity with  the  operations  and  general  business  of  the  mints 
eminently  fitted  him.  For  many  years  he  has  had  the  direc- 


D8 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF  THE 


tion  of  the  preparation  of  the  monetary  statistics  published  in 
the  reports  of  the  Director  of  the  Mint,  and  the  statistics  of 
the  production  of  gold  and  silver  in  the  United  States  and 
other  countries,  which  appear  annually  in  the  reports  on  the 
“Production  of  the  Precious  Metals, ” issued  from  the  Bureau 
of  the  Mint.  These  reports  are  eagerly  looked  for  by  econo- 
mists and  public  men  in  Europe  and  the  United  States.  Ex- 
perts on  monetary  subjects  in  both  hemispheres  consider  them 
■authoritative  and  award  them  the  highest  praise.  In  the  dis- 
cussions of  bi-metallism  in  Germany,  France,  and  England, 
and  wherever  currency  reforms  are  debated,  they  are  appealed 
to  and  considered  as  a guide.  Mr.  Leech  deservedly  enjoys 
the  reputation  of  being  the  best  informed  man  in  the  United 
States  on  the  monetary  systems,  past  and  present,  of  the  differ- 
ent countries  of  the  world,  and  on  monetary  and  precious- 
metals  statistics  generally.  His  studies  in  monetary  matters 
have  led  him  to  be  a pronounced  bi-metallist.  President 
Harrison  did  credit  to  himself,  and  rendered  a real  service  to 
the  country,  when  he  selected  Edward  0.  Leech  for  the  re- 
sponsible position  of  Director  of  the  Mint.  Trained  in  the 
mint  service,  he  was  better  qualified  for  the  position  than  any 
one  could  possibly  be  who  had  had  no  such  training.  There 
are  schools  outside  of  the  Treasury  for  the  training  of  attorneys 
general,  solicitors,  and  accountants  ; there  is  none  for  making 
a Director  of  the  Mint,  for  the  simple  reason,  that  outside  of 
the  Government  service,  there  are  no  mints. 

Mr.  Leech  was  married  on  October  25,  1871,  to  Celia 
Helen  Kent,  of  Pittsburgh,  Penna.,  a lady  of  most  noble  and 
lovable  character,  who  unfortunately  did  not  live  to  see  her 
husband  reap  the  reward  of  his  faithful  service  to  the  Govern- 
ment by  his  appointment  to  the  Directorship  of  the  Mint, 
having  died  a few  months  before  of  consumption,  after  a 
lingering  illness. 

Three  of  Mr.  Leech’s  brothers  entered  the  ministry.  One 
of  them,  Rev.  B.  F.  Leech,  is  dead.  The  Rev.  Dr.  S.  Y. 
Leech  is  a distinguished  member  of  the  Troy  Annual  Confer- 
ence of  the  M.  E.  Church.  The  third,  Rev.  Dr.  George  V. 
Leech,  belongs  to  the  Baltimore  Annual  Conference  of  the 
same  denomination. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


99 


The  Coinage  Act  of  1873. 

The  enactment  of  the  Mint  Law  of  1873  marks  an  era  in 
the  Mint  Service  of  the  United  States.  Prior  to  this,  the 
Director  of  the  Mint  at  Philadelphia  was  the  Director  of  all 
the  Mints — the  institution  at  Philadelphia  being  regarded  as 
the  44  Mother  Mint,”  and  the  others,  at  San  Francisco,  New 
Orleans,  etc.,  were  called  Branch  Mints.  Each  branch  had 
its  Superintendent,  reporting  direct  to  Philadelphia.  But  the 
-authors  of  the  Act  of  1873  regarded  the  Mint  Service  as  so 
large  and  important  a part  of  the  Government,  that  it  should 
be  constituted  a separate  Bureau  of  the  Treasury,  with  the 
Director  located  at  Washington.  One  of  the  promoters  of  this 
Act  was  the  Hon.  John  Jay  Knox,  late  Comptroller  of  the 
Currency,  and  late  President  of  the  National  Bank  of  the 
Republic,  New  York.  The  following  sketch  of  the  origin  and 
history  of  the  new  law  may  prove  of  interest.  It  was  origi- 
nally published  in  Rhodes’  Journal  of  Banking,  July,  1884. 
Referring  to  Mr.  Knox,  the  author  says : 

44  In  1870  he  made  an  elaborate  report  to  Congress  (Senate 
Mis.  Doc.  No.  132,  XLI.  Cong.,  2d  Sess.),  including  a codifi- 
cation of  the  Mint  and  Coinage  laws,  with  important  amend- 
ments, which  was  highly  commended.  The  method  adopted 
in  this  codification  was,  first,  to  arrange  in  as  concise  a form 
as  possible  the  coinage  laws  then  in  existence,  with  such  addi- 
tional sections  and  suggestions  as  seemed  valuable.  The 
proposed  bill  was  then  printed  upon  paper  having  a wide 
margin,  and  transmitted  to  the  officers  of  the  different  Mints 
and  Assay  offices,  and  to  such  other  gentlemen  as  were  known 
to  be  conversant  and  intelligent  upon  the  subject  of  the  coin- 
age, with  the  request  that  the  printed  bill  should  be  returned 
with  such  notes  as  experience  and  education  should  dictate. 
In  this  way  the  views  of  many  gentlemen  who  were  conversant 
with  these  subjects  were  obtained,  with  but  little  inconvenience 
to  such  correspondents.  This  correspondence  was  subsequently 
published  by  order  of  Congress,  in  H.  R.  Ex.  Doc.  No.  307, 
XLI.  Cong.,  2d  Sess.  Having  received  these  suggestions,  the 
bill,  which  comprised  within  the  compass  of  eight  or  ten  pages 
of  the  Revised  Statutes  every  important  provision  contained  in 
more  than  sixty  different  enactments  upon  the  Mint  and  Coin- 
age of  the  United  States — the  result  of  eighty  years  of  legisla- 
tion— was  prepared  and  submitted  to  Congress.  This  bill, 
with  but  slight  amendments,  was  subsequently  passed,  and  was 
known  as  4 The  Coinage  Act  of  1873 and  the  Senate  Finance 


100 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Committee,  in  recognition  of  the  services  of  the  Comptroller  of 
the  Currency,  by  an  amendment,  made  that  officer  an  ex-officio 
member  of  the  Assay  Commission,  which  meets  annually  at 
the  Mint  in  Philadelphia  for  the  purpose  of  testing  the  weight 
and  fineness  of  the  coinage  of  the  year.  Upon  his  suggestion 
the  coinage  of  the  silver  dollar  was  discontinued,  and  the  para* 
graph  in  the  report  upon  this  subject  was  as  follows: 

“ The  coinage  of  the  silver  dollar-piece,  the  history  of  which 
is  here  given,  is  discontinued  in  the  proposed  bill.  It  is  by 
law  the  dollar  unit;  and,  assuming  the  value  of  gold  to  be 
fifteen  and  one-half  times  that  of  silver,  being  about  the  mean 
ratio  for  the  past  six  years,  is  worth  in  gold  a premium  of 
about  three  per  cent.,  its  value  being  $1.03.12,  and  intrinsically 
more  than  seven  per  cent,  premium  in  our  other  silver  coins, 
its  value  thus  being  $1.07.42.  The  present  laws  consequently 
authorize  both  a gold  dollar  unit  and  a silver  dollar  unit,  differ- 
ing from  each  other  in  intrinsic  value.  The  present  gold 
dollar-piece  is  made  the  dollar  unit  in  the  proposed  bill,  and 
the  silver  piece  is  discontinued.” 

The  first  Director  of  the  Mint  under  this  new  law,  was  the 
Hon.  Henry  R.  Linderman.  The  title  of  the  chief  officer  at 
Philadelphia  being  changed  to  Superintendent— the  first  in- 
cumbent with  that  title  was  the  Hon.  James  Pollock. 

Biographical  notices  of  these  officers  will  be  found  in  their 
appropriate  place  in  this  volume. 

On  March  5,  1879,  Horatio  C.  Burchard,  who  had  repre- 
resented  the  Sixth  District  of  Illinois  in  the  National  House- 
of  Representatives  for  a number  of  terms,  was  appointed 
Director  of  the  Mint,  and  served  until  June  30,  1885. 

Dr.  James  P.  Kimball,  who  at  the  date  of  his  appointment 
was  professor  of  economic  geology  in  Lehigh  University,  was 
appointed  Director  of  the  Mint  July  1,  1885,  and  served  until 
the  date  of  his  resignation,  October  15,  1889. 

Edward  O.  Leech,  appointed  Director  of  the  Mint  by  Presi- 
dent Harrison,  October,  1889.  Mr.  Leech  has  been  connected 
with  the  Mint  Bureau  of  the  Treasury  Department  since  its 
organization  in  1873,  and  for  a number  of  years  has  had 
charge  of  the  computation  of  bullion  and  the  preparation  of 
the  reports  of  tTie  Bureau.  The  country  is  fortunate  in  the 
preferment  of  a gentleman  thoroughly  competent  and  well 
qualified  to  administer  all  the  affairs  connected  with  Mints* 
and  Assay  Offices  of  the  United  States. 


f. 


Directors  of  the  United  States  Mint,  from 

1792-1851. 


Henry  Wm.  Desaussnre 
Elias  Bondinot 


Robert  M.  Patterson 
David  Ritten house 
George  N.  Eckert 


Robert  Patterson 
Samuel  Moore 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


101 


DIRECTORS  OF  THE  MINT. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE, 

First  Director  of  the  Mint. 

Entering  the  Cabinet,  the  portraits  of  the  different  Di- 
rectors attract  attention.  That  of  David  Rittenhouse  is  the 
copy  of  a painting  by  Charles  Willson  Peale.  Mr.  Ritten- 
house was  appointed  by  Washington,  April  14,  1792,  and  re- 
mained in  charge  of  the  Mint  until  June,  1795,  when  his 
declining  health  compelled  him  to  resign. 

At  an  early  age  he  indicated  mechanical  talent  of  a high 
order  in  the  construction  of  a clock,  and  his  studies  from  that 
time  were  principally  mathematical.  His  genius  soon  at- 
tracted attention,  and  he  was  appointed  by  the  colonial  gov- 
ernor a surveyor,  and  in  that  capacity  determined  the  famous 
Mason  and  Dixon  line.  He  succeeded  Benjamin  Franklin  as 
President  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society.  Mr. 
Barber,  late  Engraver  of  the  Mint,  executed  a bronze  medal 
of  Dr.  Rittenhouse.  Possibly,  excepting  Duvivier’s  head  of 
Washington  after  Houdon,  it  cannot  be  surpassed  in  the  Cab- 
inet. The  engraver  had  a very  fine  subject,  and  treated  it  in 
the  highest  style  of  art.  On  the  obverse  is  “David  Ritten- 
house,” with  date  of  birth  and  death.  On  the  reverse,  inscrip- 
tion, aHe  belonged  to  the  whole  human  race.” — “Wm.  Bar- 
ber.’* This  beautiful  memento  is  highly  prized. 

HENRY  WILLIAM  DESAUSSURE, 

Second  Director  of  the  Mint. 

The  portrait  of  Henry  William  Desaussure,  now  in  the  cabi- 
net, was  painted  by  Samuel  Du  Bois,  from  a daguerreotype 
taken  from  a family  picture.  This  Director  was  distinguished 
for  his  legal  ability,  as  well  as  his  strict  integrity.  He  entered 
upon  his  duties  with  a protest,  as  he  claimed  no  knowledge  of 
the  requirements  of  the  position,  having  long  been  a practicing 
lawyer;  but  he  was  reassured  by  Alex.  Hamilton,  then  Secre- 
tary of  the  Treasury,  and  proved  himself  a fine  officer  for  the 
short  term  of  his  service.  He  was  appointed  by  Washington, 
July  8, 1795,  but  resigned  in  the  following  October.  Washing- 
ton not  only  expressed  regret  at  losing  so  valuable  an  officer, 
but  consulted  him  as  to  the  selection  of  a successor. 


102 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


ELIAS  BOUDINOT, 

Third  Director  op  the  Mint, 

was  appointed  October  28, 1T95,  and  remained  in  office  eleven, 
years.  In  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1797  and  the  two  fol- 
lowing years,  and  also  of  1802  and  1808,  the  Mint  was  closed 
on  account  of  the  ravages  of  the  yellow  fever.  Mr.  Boudinot 
resigned  in  1805,  and  devoted  the  remainder  of  his  life  to 
benevolent  and  literary  pursuits.  He  died  on  the  24th  of 
October,  1821,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-two.  The  fine 
portrait  of  this  venerable  Director  seen  in  the  Cabinet  was 
presented  by  a relative,  and  is  a good  copy  of  a painting  by 
Waldo  and  Jewett. 

ROBERT  PATTERSON,  LL.D., 

Fourth  Director  of  the  Mint, 

was  appointed  by  President  Jefferson,  January  17,  1806.  He- 
was  a native  of  Ireland,  distinguished  for  his  acquirements 
and  ability.  He  held  the  office  of  Director  for  an  exception- 
ally long  term  of  service.  His  portrait,  which  hangs  in  the 
Cabinet,  is  a copy  of  a fine  original  by  Bembrandt  Peale. 

SAMUEL  MOORE,  M.D. 

Fifth  Director  of  the  Mint, 

was  appointed  by  President  James  Monroe,  July  15,  1824.. 
He  was  a native  of  New  Jersey,  and  the  son  of  a distinguished: 
Revolutionary  officer.  He  was  one  of  the  first  graduates  of 
the  Penn  University,  in  1791,  and  was  afterwards  a tutor  in 
that  institution.  During  his  directorship  the  Mint  was  re- 
moved to  the  present  building.  His  portrait  was  painted  from, 
life  by  B.  Samuel  Du  Bois,  now  in  the  Cabinet. 

ROBERT  MASKELL  PATTERSON,  M.D. 

Sixth  Director  of  the  Mint, 

son  of  a former  Director,  was  appointed  by  President  Andrew 
Jackson,  May  26,  1885.  His  term  of  office  was  marked  by 
an  entire  revolution  in  the  coinage,  and  the  ready  acceptance 
of  those  improvements  which  followed  so  rapidly  upon  the  in- 
troduction of  steam.  Dr.  Patterson  possessed  the  advantage 
of  foreign  travel;  and  having  become  familiar  with  the  dis- 
coveries which  had  been  adopted  in  the  French  Mint,  he  in- 
augurated and  perfected  them,  also  introducing  improvements, 
which  are  still  in  use,  in  the  machinery  of  the  Mint.  Hi«- 
portrait  is  in  the  Cabinet. 


Directors  and  Superintendents  of  the  United  States 
Mint,  from  1853-1892. 


Col.  A.  Loudon  Snowden  James  Pollock  Henry  R.  Linderman 

Col.  O.  C.  Bosby shell 

Adam  Eckfeldt  Daniel  M.  Fox  J.  Ross  Snowden 


ill# 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


lOg 


GEORGE  N.  ECKERT,  M.  D. 

Seventh  Director  of  the  Mint, 

was  appointed  by  President  Fillmore,  July  1,  1851.  He 
served  nearly  two  years,  and,  resigning,  was  followed  by 

THOMAS  M.  PETTIT, 

Eighth  Director  of  the  Mint, 

wbo  was  appointed  by  President  Pierce,  April  4,  1853.  He 
died  a few  weeks  after  his  appointment.  No  portrait  of  him 
in  the  Cabinet.  He  was  succeeded  by 

HON.  JAMES  ROSS  SNOWDEN,  LL.D. 

Ninth  Director  of  the  Mint. 

Mr.  Snowden,  who  was  appointed  by  President  Pierce,  June 
3,  1853,  was  formerly  a member  of  the  State  Legislature,  and 
served  two  terms  as  Speaker ; was  afterwards  elected  for  two 
terms  as  State  Treasurer.  During  his  official  term  the  build- 
ing was  made  fire-proof,  the  large  collection  of  minerals  was 
added;  and  nickel  was  first  coined. 

Mr.  Snowden  has  placed  the  numismatic  world  under  many 
obligations,  by  directing  the  publication  of  two  valuable  quarto 
volumes, — one  of  them  a description  of  the  coins  in  the  Cabi- 
net, under  the  title  of  “ The  Mint  Manual  of  Coins  of  all 
Nations,”  the  other  “ The  Medallic  Memorials  of  Washington,” 
being  mainly  a description  of  a special  collection  made  by 
himself.  In  the  preface  to  the  former  work  he  gives  due 
credit  to  the  literary  labors  of  Mr.  George  Bull,  then  Curator, 
and  also  to  a reprint  of  the  account  of  the  ancient  collection, 
by  Mr.  Du  Bois,  who  also  furnished  other  valuable  material. 
These  books  are  valuable  as  authority,  and  by  reason  of  the- 
national  character  of  the  last  mentioned. 

JAMES  POLLOCK,  A.M.,  LL.D., 

Tenth  Director  and  First  Superintendent, 
was  appointed  by  Abraham  Lincoln  in  1861,  and  was  re-ap- 
pointed by  President  Grant  to  succeed  Dr.  Linderman  in  1869 
to  1873.  Born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1810 ; graduated  at  Prince- 
ton College,  New  Jersey,  in  1831,  and  commenced  the  practice 
of  the  law  in  1833  ; he  served  in  Congress  three  terms;  was 
elected  Governor  of  Pennsylvania  in  1854,  and  in  1860  was  a 
peacedelegate  to  Washington  from  his  State  to  counsel  with 
representatives  from  different  parts  of  the  Union  as  to  the  pos- 
sibility of  amicably  adjusting  our  unhappy  national  troubles. 
His  portrait,  by  Winner,  hangs  in  the  eastern  section  of  the 
Cabinet.*  He  died  April  19,  1890,  aged  79. 

* After  the  resignation  of  ex-Governor  Pollock  the  title  of  Director  was  changed  to- 
Superintendent.  The  Director  of  all  the  Mints  is  now  located  at  Washington. 


104 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OP 


HON.  HENRY  RICHARD  UNDERMAN,  M.  D., 

DIRECTOR.  OP  THE  MINTS  AND  ASSAY  OFFICES  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

was  the  eldest  son  of  John  Jordan  Linderman,  M.  D.,  and 
Rachel  Brodhead.  He  was  born  in  Pike  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, the  25th  of  December,  1825.  The  elder  Dr.  Linderman 
was  one  of  the  most  noted  physicians  in  northeastern  Penn- 
sylvania, and  practiced  medicine  for  nearly  half  a century  in 
the  valley  of  the  Delaware,  in  this  State,  and  New  Jersey. 
He  was  a graduate  of  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons, 
of  New  York,  where  he  had  studied  under  the  famous  Dr. 
Valentine  Mott.  Dr.  Linderman’s  grandfather,  Jacob  von 
Linderman,  came  to  this  country  during  the  disturbed  period 
of  the  Austrian  War  of  Succession,  during  the  first  half  of 
the  last  century,  and  settled  in  Orange  county,  where  he  pur- 
chased a tract  of  land.  The  property  is  still  in  the  possession 
of  the  family.  Jacob  von  Linderman  was  the  cadet  of  an 
ancient  and  honorable  family  of  Saxony,  which  had  been  dis- 
tinguished for  two  centuries  in  the  law  and  medicine,  several 
of  his  ancestors  having  been  counsellors  and  physicians  to  the 
Elector.  He  was  a descendant  of  the  same  family  as  Mar- 
garetta  Linderman,  the  mother  of  the  great  Reformer,  Martin 
Luther.  Of  this  paternal  stock,  Dr.  Henry  R.  Linderman 
was,  by  his  mother,  a nephew  of  the  late  Hon.  Richard  Brod- 
head, Senator  of  the  United  States  from  Pennsylvania;  grand- 
son of  Richard  Brodhead,  one  of  the  Judges  of  Pike  county, 
and  great-grandson  of  Garrett  Brodhead,  an  officer  of  the 
Revolution,  and  a great-nephew  of  Luxe  Brodhead,  a Captain 
in  Col.  Miles’  Regiment,  and  of  Daniel  Brodhead,  Colonel  of 
the  8th  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  the  Continental  Line ; the 
latter  was  afterwards  a Brigadier- General,  was  one  of  the 
original  members  of  the  Cincinnati  of  this  State,  and  Sur- 
veyor-General of  the  Commonwealth  when  the  war  closed. 
His  only  son  Daniel  was  a First  Lieutenant  in  Colonel  Shee’s 
Battalion,  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  British,  and  died  after 
two  years’  captivity.  General  Brodhead  married  Governor 
Mifflin’s  widow,  and  died  in  Milford,  Pike  county,  in  1803. 
The  nephew  of  these  three  brothers,  Charles  Wessel  Brodhead, 
of  New  York,  was  also  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  a Captain 
of  Grenadiers.  They  all  descended  from  Daniel  Brodhead,  a 
Captain  of  King  Charles  II.  ’s  Grenadiers,  who  had  a com- 
mand in  Nichol’s  expedition,  which  captured  New  York  from 
the  Dutch  in  1664.  Captain  Brodhead  was  of  the  family  of 
that  name  in  Yorkshire,  which  terminated  in  England  so  re- 
cently as  1840  in  the  person  of  Sir  Henry  T.  L.  Brodhead, 
baronet. 


TEE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


105 


Dr.  Henry  R.  Linderman,  after  receiving  an  academic 
•education,  entered  tlie  New  York  College  of  Physicians  and 
Surgeons.  When  barely  of  age  he  graduated,  returned  to 
Pike  county  and  began  practice  with  his  father,  and  earned  a 
reputation  as  a skillful  and  rising  physician. 

In  1855  his  uncle,  Richard  Brodhead  (United  States 
Senator),  procured  his  appointment  as  chief  clerk  of  the 
Philadelphia  Mint.  He  held  this  position  until  1864,  when 
he  resigned  and  engaged  in  business  as  a banker  and  broker 
in  Philadelphia.  In  1867  he  was  appointed  Director  of  the 
Mint  by  President  Johnson.  In  1869  he  resigned.  In  1870 
he  was  a commissioner  of  the  Government  to  the  Pacific  coast 
to  investigate  the  San  Francisco  and  Carson  Mints,  and  to 
adjust  some  intricate  bullion  questions.  In  1871  he  was 
a commissioner  to  Europe,  to  examine  the  coinage  systems 
of  the  Great  Powers.  In  1872  he  was  a commissioner,  with 
the  late  Dr.  Robert  E.  Rogers,  of  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, for  fitting  up  the  Government  refinery  at  the  San  Fran- 
cisco Mint.  In  the  same  year  he  wrote  an  elaborate  report 
on  the  condition  of  the  gold  and  silver  market  of  the  world. 

In  this  report  he  called  attention  to  the  disadvantages  arising 
from  the  computation  and  quotation  of  exchange  with  Great 
Britain  on  the  old  and  complicated  Colonial  basis,  and  from  the 
undervaluation  of  foreign  coins  in  computing  the  value  of  for- 
eign invoices  and  levying  and  collecting  duties  at  the  United 
States  Custom  Houses.”  He  was  the  author  of  the  Act  of 
March  9th,  1873,  which  corrected  the  defects  above  referred 
to.  His  predictions  in  this  report  on  the  decline  in  the  value 
of  silver  as  compared  to  gold  were  fulfilled  to  the  letter. 

He  was  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  practice,  science,  and 
finance  of  the  Coinage  Department  of  the  Government,  and 
about  this  time  he  wrote  the  Coinage  Act  of  1873,  and 
secured  its  passage  through  Congress.  General  Grant,  then 
President,  considered  him  as  the  fittest  man  to  organize  the 
Hew  Bureau,  and,  though  a Democrat,  appointed  him  first 
Director  under  the  new  Act ; the  Director  being  at  the  head 
of  all  the  Mints  and  Assay  Offices  in  the  United  States. 

For  the  remainder  of  his  life  until  his  last  illness,  which 
began  in  the  fall  of  1878,  he  worked  incessantly.  Under  his 
hands  the  Bureau  of  the  Mints  and  the  entire  Coinage  and 
Assay  service  were  shaped  in  their  present  form.  Much  is  due 
to  his  official  subordinates,  but  his  was  the  master  mind,  his  the 
skillful  and  methodical  direction,  the  studious  and  laborious 
devotion  to  the  duties  and  obligations  of  his  high  position  at 
the  b^ad  of  the  Coinage  Department  of  this  great  nation, 


106 


ILLXTSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


which  have  given  the  United  States  the  best  coinage  system  in 
the  world.  It  was  Dr.  Linderman  who  projected  the  “ trade 
dollar,”  solely  for  commerce,  and  not  intended  to  enter  into 
circulation  here.  It  was  a successful  means  of  finding  a 
market  for  our  great  surplus  of  silver,  which  Dr.  Linderman 
sought  to  send  to  Oriental  countries  rather  than  flood  our  own 
and  depreciate  its  fickle  value.  The  old  silver  dollar  by  the^ 
Coinage  Act  of  1873  was  abolished.  The  codification  of  all 
the  legislation  of  Congress  since  the  foundation  of  the  Mint  in 
1792  was  thus  accomplished.  Other  needed  legislative  enact- 
ments were  passed  by  Congress  on  his  recommendations. 

In  1877  Dr.  Linderman  wrote,  and  Putnam  published, 
u Money  and  Legal  Tender  in  the  United  States,”  a valuable 
and  interesting  contribution  to  the  science  of  finance,  which 
was  favorably  received  abroad  as  well  as  here.  The  same  year 
his  official  report  presented  one  of  the  most  exhaustive,  pro- 
found, and  able  efforts  which  has  ever  emanated  from  the 
Government  press.  The  fact  that  several  of  his  reports  were 
in  use  as  text  books  of  technical  information  in  some  of  the 
technical  schools  (notably  that  at  Harvard  University),  will 
serve  to  show  the  estimation  in  which  the  late  Dr.  Linderman 
was  held  as  an  authority  upon  coinage,  mining,  and  finance. 
When  the  Japanese  established  their  mint,  that  government 
made  him  the  liberal  offer  of  $50,000  to  stay  in  their  country 
one  year  and  organize  their  mint  service. 

When  M.  Henri  Cernuschi,  the  eminent  financier  and  the 
Director  of  the  French  Mint,  was  in  this  country  in  1878,  he 
said,  “ Dr.  Linderman’s  name  is  as  celebrated  on  the  continent 
of  Europe  in  connection  with  his  opinions  on  the  double  stand- 
ard of  metallic  currency,  as  that  of  Garibaldi  in  connection 
with  the  Italian  revolution.” 

In  1877  Dr.  Linderman  was  appointed  a commissioner,  with 
power  to  name  two  others,  to  investigate  abuses  in  the  San 
Francisco  Mint  and  Custom  House.  He  appointed  ex- 
Governor  Low,  of  California,  and  Mr.  Henry  Dodge,  and  this 
commission  sat  as  a court  of  inquiry  in  San  Francisco  in  1877. 
He  returned  to  Washington  in  the  autumn  of  that  year.  His 
report  of  thecommission  was  duly  approved,  and  all  the  changes 
it  advised  were  made  by  the  Government  authorities. 

In  1853  Dr.  Linderman  married  Miss  Emily  Davis,  a highly 
accomplished  and  talented  lady,  daughter  of  George  H.  Davis, 
one  of  the  pioneer  coal  operators  of  the  Wyoming  and  Carbon 
districts.  Dr.  Linderman  died  at  his  residence  in  Washington 
in  January,  1879,  after  a long  illness  superinduced  by  hia 
self-sacrificing  care  and  solicitude  for  public  interests.  His. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


107 


conscientious  and  valuable  aid  and  advice  in  counsel,  his  con- 
ception of  public  duty,  which  so  entirely  guided  his  conduct 
in  all  his  official  relations  connected  with  our  present  monetary 
system,  established  through  his  efforts,  justly  entitle  him  to 
be  held  in  grateful  remembrance  for  the  benefits  he  conferred, 
upon  his  fellow  countrymen. 

COL.  A.  LOUDON  SNOWDEN, 

Second  Superintendent. 

was  born  in  Cumberland  County,  Pennsylvania,  and  descends? 
from  one  of  the  old  families  of  Pennsylvania. 

He  was  educated  at  the  Jefferson  College  in  Washington,, 
Pennsylvania.  On  the  completion  of  his  collegiate  course  he' 
studied  law,  but  on  May  7,  1857,  just  before  being  admitted 
to  the  bar,  accepted  the  position  of  Register,  tendered  him  by 
his  uncle,  the  late  Hon.  James  Ross  Snowden,  then  Director 
of  the  United  States  Mint. 

In  1866,  a vacancy  having  occurred  in  the  office  of  Coiner 
of  the  Mint,  he  was  appointed  by  the  President,  and  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  this  office  October  1,  1866. 

At  the  request  of  President  Grant,  in  1876,  he  was  induced 
to  accept  the  Postmastership  of  Philadelphia. 

He  assumed  the  duties  of  that  office  January  1,  1877,  with 
much  reluctance,  but  soon  manifested  as  Postmaster  the  same 
capacity  for  thorough  discipline  and  organization  which  had  dis- 
tinguished him  in  the  Mint.  President  Hayes,  in  December, 

1878,  tendered  him  the  position  of  Director  of  all  the  Mints 
of  the  United  States,  made  vacant  by  the  expiration  of  the 
commission  of  Dr.  Linderman.  After  the  death  of  Dr.  Lin- 
derman  the  President  again  sent  for  him  and  urged  his  accept- 
ance of  the  place,  which  he  was  believed  to  have  declined  pre- 
vious to  Dr.  Linderman ’s  death  from  motives  of  delicacy, 
having  long  been  the  friend  of  the  late  Director. 

This  offer  he  again  declined,  as  the  acceptance  of  it  would 
necessitate  his  removal  from  Philadelphia  to  Washington. 

In  the  following  February  the  President  again  made  a ten- 
der of  office.  This  time  it  was  the  superintendency  of  the 
Philadelphia  Mint , and,  as  its  acceptance  of  it  restored  him 
to  a service  agreeable  to  him  in  every  particular,  and  permitted 
him  to  remain  among  his  friends  in  Philadelphia,  he  promptly 
accepted,  and  assumed  control  of  the  Mint  on  the  1st  of  March, 

1879,  and  continued  in  charge  of  the  “ Parent  Mint”  of  the 
United  States  until  June,  1885,  when  he  resigned  his  commis- 
sion. In  1889  he  was  appointed  Minister  Resident  and  Con- 
sul-General to  Greece,  Servia  and  Roumania,  by  President 
Harrison. 


108 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


In  January,  1878,  he  was  elected  vice-president  of  the  Fire 
Association,  one  of  the  oldest  and  largest  fire  insurance  coni' 
panies  of  the  United  States.  In  1868  he  was  elected  its  pres- 
ident. In  October,  1880,  he  was  elected  president  of  the 
“ United  Fire  Underwriters  of  America,”  an  organization 
embracing  the  officers  of  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  of 
the  leading  American  and  foreign  companies  doing  business  in 
the  United  States,  representing  a capital  of  over  $118,000,000. 


DANIEL  M.  FOX. 

Hon.  Daniel  M.  Fox,  third  Superintendent  of  the  United 
States  Mint,  was  born  in  this  city  on  .the  16th  of  June,  1819. 
His  ancestors,  both  on  his  father’s  and  mother’s  side,  are  not 
without  fame,  many  of  them  having  figured  more  or  less  con- 
spicuously in  the  early  history  of  the  country.  Daniel  Miller, 
his  maternal  grandfather,  took  quite  a prominent  part  in  the 
Revolutionary  war,  being  present  with  Washington  at  German- 
town, Pa.,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  the  Highlands,  N.  Y.,  Valley 
Forge,  Pa.,  the  siege  of  Yorktown,  and  witnessed  the  surren- 
der of  Lord  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown.  During  the  campaign 
in  New  Jersey  he  was  taken  by  the  British  as  a spy  and 
brought  to  Philadelphia,  but  effected  his  escape  and  rejoined 
the  army.  At  the  termination  of  the  war  he  finally  settled 
with  his  family  in  the  old  Northern  Liberties,  where  Mr.  Fox’s 
grandfather,  by  the  father’s  side,  John  Fox,  resided.  Here 
Daniel’s  father  and  mother  were  born,  and  here  he  himself 
first  saw  the  light,  and  was  reared  and  educated. 

His  parents  were  possessed  of  very  little  of  this  world’s 
goods,  but  that  did  not  prevent  them  from  giving  their  son  a 
liberal  education,  which  he  was  not  backward  in  taking  advan- 
tage of.  After  leaving  school  the  first  two  years  were  em- 
ployed as  clerk  in  a store,  after  which  he  turned  his  attention 
to  conveyancing,  as  he  intended  to  make  that  his  permanent 
profession.  He  devoted  the  next  five  years  to  the  close  study 
of  all  its  intricate  details  in  the  office  of  the  late  Jacob  F. 
Hoeckley,  who  at  that  period  stood  at  the  head  of  the  profes- 
sion in  this  city,  and  graduating  with  eminent  credit  he  com- 
menced practice  for  himself. 

The  profession  is  one  affording  many  temptations  to  men 
who  are  not  well  grounded  in  strict  integrity,  and  sustained  in 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


109 


the  paths  of  rectitude  and  virtue  by  a conscientious  regard  for 
the  meum  and  tuum  of  a well-ordered  business  life ; but  Mr. 
Fox,  looking  upon  his  profession  as  one  of  dignity  and  trust, 
soon  commanded  and  permanently  secured  the  confidence  of 
the  public,  by  avoiding  those  speculative  ventures  which  have 
brought  so  much  disrepute  upon  it,  and  by  a scrupulous  regard 
for  the  interests  of  those  who  placed  their  property  in  his 
keeping.  In  consequence,  the  business  entrusted  to  him  has 
increased  to  such  an  extent  from  year  to  year  that  it  is  said  he 
has  more  estates  in  his  charge  for  settlement,  as  administrator, 
executor,  or  trustee,  than  any  other  single  individual  in  Phila- 
delphia. His  practice  constantly  increasing  as  time  rolled  on, 
the  laws  touching  real  estate  operations  becoming  more  com- 
plicated year  by  year,  and  appreciating  the  necessity  in  many 
cases  for  court  proceedings  to  secure  perfection  of  title,  he 
submitted  himself  to  a legal  examination,  and  was  admitted  to 
the  Philadelphia  bar  in  November,  1878. 

His  Public  Career. 

His  first  step  in  public  life  was  at  the  age  of  twenty-one, 
when  he  was  elected  a member  of  the  Board  of  School  Direc- 
tors of  the  district  in  which  he  then  lived,  and  for  many  years 
prior  to  1854,  when  the  city  was  consolidated,  and  the  law  in 
that  regard  changed,  he  was  President  of  the  Board.  For 
many  years  he  had  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  public 
schools,  and  was  a pioneer  in  the  night-school  system  for 
adults.  He  was  chosen  two  consecutive  terms  by  the  City 
Councils  as  a Director  of  Girard  College,  and  also  represented 
the  Northern  Liberties  in  the  Board  of  Health,  having  charge 
of  the  sanitary  matters  and  the  quarantine  regulations  of  the 
city,  and  w~as  quite  active  and  efficient  in  the  abatement  of  the 
cholera,  which  was  epidemic  here  twice  during  the  nine  years 
he  served  in  that  Board. 

For  three  years  he  represented  his  ward  in  the  Select 
Council  of  Philadelphia  with  credit  and  ability.  In  1861  he 
retired  from  Councils,  and  in  the  year  following  was  unani- 
mously nominated  for  the  Mayoralty  by  the  Democratic  party. 
The  city  at  that  time  was  strongly  Republican,  and  he  was 
defeated  by  Hon.  Alexander  Henry,  although  he  ran  largely 
ahead  of  his  ticket.  In  1865  he  again  received  a unanimous 
nomination  for  the  same  office,  and  ran  against  Hon.  Morton 
McMichael  and  with  the  same  result.  His  personal  popularity, 
however,  was  in  the  ascendant,  and  when  he  was  placed  in 
nomination  in  1868  against  General  Hector  Tyndale,  he  was 
duly  elected. 


110 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


On  January  1,  1869,  he  was  inaugurated,  and  his  first 
official  duty  as  Mayor  was  to  formally  receive  on  behalf  of  the 
city  authorities  General  Grant  as  President-elect.  The  re- 
ception took  place  in  Independence  Hall,  in  the  presence  of 
■Councils  and  a large  number  of  prominent  citizens,  and  was 
conducted  on  the  part  of  the  new  Mayor  with  ease,  grace,  and 
elegance.  His  municipal  administration  was  marked  by  many 
reformatory  and  sanitary  measures,  especially  in  those  portions 
of  the  city  where  the  impurity  of  the  denizens  hazarded  the 
health  of  more  respectable  neighborhoods.  It  was  during  his 
official  term  that  the  Volunteer  Fire  Department  ceased  to 
exist.  It  had  been  his  practice  during  its  closing  days  to  at- 
tend all  conflagrations  for  the  double  purpose  of  holding  a 
moral  check  on  the  lawless  and  to  stimulate  the  police  in  their 
duties  of  keeping  the  streets  clear  for  the  free  exercise  of  those 
whose  business  it  was  to  extinguish  the  flames.  The  passage 
by  Councils  of  the  ordinance  establishing  a Paid  Fire  Depart- 
ment created  a profound  sensation  in  the  city,  arousing  the 
bitter  feelings  of  many  of  the  volunteer  firemen,  and  kindling 
an  intense  anxiety  on  the  part  of  the  people  generally  as  to 
the  fate  of  the  bill  when  it  reached  the  hands  of  the  Mayor. 
He  retained  it  for  a fortnight,  unsigned,  evidently  desiring  to 
soften  the  feeling  engendered  by  its  passage,  and  also  to  per- 
fect such  arrangements  as  would  be  necessary  to  meet  any 
emergency  in  carrying  the  act  into  effect.  He  resigned  as 
Superintendent  of  the  Mint  in  1889,  and  died  in  March, 
1890. 

COLONEL  BOSBYSHELL. 

Colonel  Oliver  C.  Bosbyshell  enjoys  the  honorable  distinction 
of  having  been  the  first  Union  soldier  hurt  by  the  enemy  in 
the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  His  war  record  is  full  and  com- 
plete. He  enlisted  in  April,  1861,  and  served  his  country 
until  October,  1864.  It  was  on  the  18th  day  of  April,  1861. 
that,  as  a private  in  the  Washington  Artillerists,  of  Potts ville, 
Schuylkill  County — the  first  command  to  respond  to  President 
incoln’s  call  for  75,000  men — he  was  marching  with  his  com- 
,ades  through  Baltimore,  enroute  to  Washington,  where  the 
memorable  attack  was  made  upon  them  by  Southern  sympa- 
thizers. Private  Bosbyshell  was  struck  on  the  head  with  a 
brick.  The  missile  struck  him  broadside,  fortunately,  and 
while  it  stunned  him  and  left  a very  painful  bruise,  it  did  not 
cut  through  the  skin,  and  consequently  no  blood  was  drawm 
Several  minutes  later,  however,  the  colored  servant  of  one  of 
the  officers  was  struck,  brick  cutting  a bad  gash  in  his 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


Ill 


head,  from  which  blood  flowed  profusely.  While  Private 
Bosby shell  was  the  first  Union  man  hurt  in  the  Rebellion, 
the  colored  servant  was  the  first  man  to  shed  his  blood  for 
the  Union  cause. 

This  baptism  of  violence  was  a fit  preparation  for  the  career 
of  hardship  and  danger  which  lay  before  Private  Oliver  C. 
Bosbyshell  for  the  next  three  and  a half  years.  The  battles 
he  participated  in,  the  skirmishes  in  which  he  figured  and  the 
dangers,  in  one  form  or  other,  which  he  encountered  would 
furnish  material  enough  to  fill  a large  book  and  make  a story 
of  thrilling  interest.  His  war  record  on  the  Union  side  seem 
not  less  remarkable  when  it  is  considered  that  he  was  m 
of  Northern,  but  of  Southern  origin.  He  was  born  in  Vick.^ 
burg,  Mississippi,  on  the  3d  of  January,  1839.  His  father 
and  mother,  however,  were  natives  of  Philadelphia.  Oliver 
C.  Bosbyshell,  the  father,  married  Mary  A.  Whitney,  of  this 
city.  Both  father  and  mother  were  of  distinguished  ante- 
cedents. Colonel  Bosbyshell’s  father  died  several  months  be- 
fore the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born.  His  mother  returned 
from  Vicksburg  to  the  home  of  her  father,  Lebbeus  Whitney, 
who  then  lived  in  Schuylkill  County,  when  young  Oliver  was 
only  eight  months  old. 

He  grew  up  in  Schuylkill  County,  received  a fair  education 
in  the  public  schools,  and  when  fifteen  years  of  age  he  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Philadelphia  and  Reading  Railroad  Com- 
pany’s telegraph  office  at  Pottsville.  He  worked  first  as  a mes- 
senger and  afterward  as  telegraph  operator  there  for  three 
years.  Then  he  entered  the  law  office  of  Hon.  F.  W.  Hughes 
as  a clerk,  intending  ultimately  to  become  a lawyer.  After 
two  years  spent  there,  during  which  he  studied  diligently,  he 
went  as  a regular  student  into  the  law  office  of  his  uncle, 
William  L.  Whitney,  where  he  was  engaged  when  the  war 
broke  out. 

From  Law  Office  to  Camp  Life. 

It  was  on  the  15th  of  April,  1861,  that  President  Lined  i 
issued  his  call  for  75,000  volunteers.  Young  Oliver  C.  Bosby- 
shell enlisted  as  a private  in  the  Washington  Artillerists,  an 
old  and  honerable  company  at  Pottsville,  on  the  very  next 
day.  The  company  reached  Harrisburg  on  the  17th  of  April 
and  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  immediately 
upon  its  arrival  by  Colonel  Seneca  Gr.  Simmons,  and  early  on 
/the  following  day  was  in  Baltimore,  where  the  assault  on 
Private  Bosbyshell  above  mentioned  occurred 


112 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


The  Washington  Artillerists  afterward  became  Company 
H,  25th  Pennsylvania  Volunteers.  They  were  sent  down  the 
Potomac  to  Fort  Washington,  where  they  were  employed  for 
three  months  strengthening  the  fortifications.  From  the  very 
first  Private  Bosbyshell  was  popular  among  his  comrades  and 
the  officers.  Three  months  after  his  enlistment  he  was  offered 
a first  lieutenancy  in  the  regular  army.  He  declined  the 
the  position,  preferring  volunteer  service.  On  the  29th  of 
July,  1861,  he  was  mustered  out  with  his  company  at  Harris- 
burg, the  three  months  term  of  their  enlistment  having  expired. 
On  the  9th  of  September  he  re-enlisted  as  second  lieutenant 
Company  G,  48th  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  In- 
fantry, and  was  commissioned  to  rank  from  August  20,  1861. 
He  was  mustered  in  for  three  years  with  his  company  at  Camp. 
Hamilton,  near  Fortress  Monroe.  While  second  lieutenant  he 
was  sent  back  to  Harrisburg  as  regimental  recruiting  officer. 
Afterward  rejoining  his  company  at  Camp  Hamilton  he  em- 
barked with  his  regiment  on  the  11th  of  November,  1861,  for 
Hatteras,  North  Carolina.  He  served  there  for  a time  as  judge 
advocate  of  a regimental  court-martial  and  as  acting  adjutant 
of  his  regiment.  When  the  attack  was  made  on  Newbern,. 
General  Burnside  detailed  six  companies  of  the  48th  to  accom- 
pany his  forces.  Colonel  Bosbyshell  was  in  this  fight  as  acting 
regimental  quartermaster.  Afterward  he  was  made  acting 
adjutant  of  the  48th.  He  was  next  promoted  to  the  first 
lieutenancy  and  afterward  to  the  captaincy  of  Company  G. 

As  Captain  Bosbyshell  he  figured  in  many  memorable 
engagements.  He  fought  at  Bull  Run,  at  Chantilly,  at  South 
Mountain,  at  Antietam  and  at  bloody  Fredericksburg.  During 
the  winter  at  Fredericksburg  he  was  detailed  as  judge  advocate 
of  division  court-martial.  In  the  Spring  of  1863  the  Ninth 
Corps  was  ordered  West  and  Captain  Bosbyshell  was  made- 
provost  marshal  at  Lexington,  Ky.  Whilst  serving  in  Lexing- 
ton, General  Burnside  granted  him  a leave  of  absence  to  re- 
turn to  Pennsylvania,  to  be  married,  which  happened  on  the 
24th  of  June,  1863,  at  Warwick  Furnace,  Chester  County,  te 
Miss  Martha  E.  Stem,  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Nathan 
Stem,  D.  D.  He  took  part  a few  months  later  in  all  the 
fights  in  East  Tennessee : was  in  the  battles  of  Blue  Springs, 
Campbell’s  Station  and  the  siege  of  Knoxville.  Returning 
on  veteran  furlough  to  Schuylkill  County  in  January,  1864, 
he  helped  recruit  the  ranks  of  the  decimated  command. 
Many  of  the  Schuylkill  boys  who  had  gone  gallantly  to  the 
front  with  Oliver  Bosbyshell  two  years  before  had  fallen  on 
the  bloody  fields  of  the  South  and  Southwest. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


113 


Under  General  Hartranft. 

The  Ninth  Corps,  alter  re-enlistment,  rendezvoused  at  Annap- 
olis, Md.  This  was  in  February,  1864.  The  corps  was  placed 
under  the  command  of  General  John  F.  Hartranft,  who  at 
once  selected  Captain  Bosbyshell  as  acting  assistant  adjutant 
general,  Depot  Ninth  Army  Corps.  The  corps,  after  re- 
organization, moved  into  Virginia  by  way  of  Washington. 
Captain  Bosbyshell  at  this  period  was  offered  a complimentary 
appointment  on  the  staff  of  Brigadier  General  Robert  B. 
Potter,  wThich  he  declined,  preferring  to  remain  with  his  com- 
pany. Afterward  he  was  detailed  by  Colonel  Sigfried  as 
acting  assistant  adjutant  general  First  Brigade  Fourth  Div- 
ision Ninth  Army  Corps.  In  this  capacity  Colonel  Bosby- 
shell served  through  Grant’s  campaign,  beginning  at  the 
Wilderness  and  ending  at  Petersburg.  During  his  service  he 
was  commissioned  major  of  his  regiment,  to  rank  as  such  from 
July  10,  1864,  but  was  not  relieved  from  duty  as  acting 
assistant  adjutant  general  until  after  the  mine  fight  of  July 
80,  1864.  His  own  regiment  dug  his  mine.  Colonel  Sigfried 
and  Major  Bosbyshell  led  their  brigade  into  the  fight,  and  the 
loss  of  over  400  of  their  men  tells  how  severely  they  suffered. 

On  the  day  following  this  fight  Major  Bosbyshell  took 
charge  of  his  regiment  again  and  commanded  it  in  the  Weldon 
Railroad  fight  and  afterward  at  Poplar  Grove  Church.  He 
was  mustered  out  of  service  on  the  1st  of  October,  1864. 

In  Business  Life. 

Returning  to  Pottsville,  the  war  being  virtually  ended,, 
Major  Bosbyshell  engaged  in  the  banking  business  and  after- 
ward in  the  book  and  stationery  business.  Had  he  remained 
in  his  regiment  three  months  longer  he  would  have  been  a 
colonel.  Always  a devoted  Republican  he  was  nominated  by 
his  party  in  Schuylkill  County  in  1866  for  prothonotary. 
The  county  being  Democratic  he  was  not  elected.  Yet  he  re- 
ceived the  highest  vote  of  any  Republican  candidate  of  the 
party  that  year.  It  was  about  this  time  that  the  Grand  Army 
of  the  Republic  was  organized  and  Colonel  Bosbyshell  was 
selected  by  the  provisional  commander  to  introduce  the  order 
into  Schuylkill  County.  He  declined  entering  into  the  move- 
ment during  a heated  political  canvass,  holding  that  politics 
and  the  G.  A.  R.  should  not  be  mixed,  a belief  that  he  has 
retained  ever  since.  In  1867,  however,  after  the  political 


114 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


contest  was  over,  he  entered  the  G.  A.  R.  and  organized  Post 
23,  of  Pottsville.  He  was  its  first  commander.  Afterward  he 
became  district  commander  of  Schuylkill  County.  In  1869 
he  was  elected  department  commander  for  Pennsylvania.  He 
did  great  work  for  the  order  in  this  capacity. 

In  the  same  year  he  was  made  register  of  deposits  in  the 
United  States  Mint  in  Philadelphia.  He  removed  to  Phila- 
delphia and  has  lived  in  this  city  ever  since.  His  faithful  ser- 
vice in  the  Mint  was  recognized  by  Colonel  A.  Loudon  Snow- 
den, who,  wrhile  coiner  in  the  Mint,  made  Major  Bosbyshell 
assistant  coiner,  without  solicitation  on  the  part  of  the  latter 
or  of  any  of  his  friends.  When  Colonel  Snowden  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster,  President  Grant  appointed  Major  Bosby- 
shell coiner.  He  served  in  this  capacity  until  February, 
1885,  when  he  was  appointed  by  Colonel  Dechert,  the  City 
Controller,  to  the  position  of  chief  clerk  in  the  Controller’s 
Office,  the  national  administration  having  changed  and  the 
Republican  superintendent  of  the  Mint,  Colonel  Snowden, 
Laving  resigned  to  give  place  to  his  Democratic  successor, 
Daniel  M.  Fox. 

It  was  a remarkable  tribute  to  Major  Bosbyshell’s  worth 
that  he,  a Republican,  should  be  selected  for  the  next  most 
import mt  position  in  a Democratic  Controller’s  Office.  His 
relations  with  his  chief,  Controller  Dechert,  and  with  his 
associates  in  the  office,  the  majority  of  them  Democrats,  have 
been  of  the  most  cordial  character  the  only  regret  expressed 
by  the  clerks  and  other  attaches  of  the  office  was  the  loss  of 
one  who  had  been  so  universally  liked  and  respected  by  them, 
as  a most  courteous  gentleman  and  a good  friend. 

Colonel  Bosbyshell  was  appointed  superintendent  of  the 1 
Mint  of  the  United  States  at  Philadelphia,  by  President  Har- 
rison, on  the  17th  of  October,  1889,  and  entered  upon  his 
-duties  as  such  on  the  1st  of  November  following. 


COINERS. 

Henry  Voight,  the  first  Chief  Coiner,  was  appointed  by 
President  Washington,  January  29,  1793.  He  was  selected 
on  account  of  his  mechanical  knowledge  and  skill,  being  a 
clockmaker  by  trade.  Many  of  our  old  families  bear  witness 
to  the  skill  of  Mr.  Voight  in  the  affection  they  have  for  many 
an  “old  clock  on  the  stairs,”  for  the  manufacture  of  which 
timekeepers  he  was  quite  famous.  Mr.  Voight  held  office  until 
removed  by  death  in  F^mary,  1814. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


115 


Adam  Eckfeldt  was  bom  in  Philadelphia,  June  15, 1769. 
He  was  trained  to  mechanical  pursuits  by  his  father,  who  was 
a large  manufacturer  of  edge-tools  and  implements.  On  the 
establishment  of  the  Mint  he  was  engaged  to  construct  some 
of  the  machinery  for  it.  He  built  the  first  screw-coining 
presses.  The  contrivance  for  ejecting  the  piece  from  the 
collar,  together  with  some  other  mechanical  appliances,  were 
his  invention. 

In  an  old  pay-roll  of  1795  (see  page  12),  we  find  the  name 
oi  “Adam  Eckfeldt,  Die  Forger  and  Turner.”  His  official 
connection  dates  from  January  1,  1796,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed Assistant  Coiner  by  Director  Boudinot,  with  the 
consent  of  President  Washington.  Upon  the  death  of  Henry 
Yoigt,  Mr.  Eckfeldt  was  appointed  to  succeed  him  as  Chief 
Coiner,  and  remained  in  that  position  until  he  resigned,  in 
1839.  He  continued  to  visit  the  Mint  for  some  years  after ; 
and  he  is  yet  remembered  as  a hard  worker  in  the  Mint, 
without  compensation.  For  half  a century  he  was  one  of  the 
central  figures  of  the  Mint  service.  His  mechanical  skill,  his 
zeal,  energy,  and  uprightness,  brought  him  many  distinctions, 
both  as  an  officer  and  a citizen. 

In  his  letter  of  resignation  he  warmly  recommends  the 
appointment  of  Franklin  Peale,  in  tho  following  terms: 
“ I feel  it  my  duty,  in  leaving  office,  to  recommend  that  my 
place  be  filled  by  Mr.  Franklin  Peale,  the  present  Melter  and 
Refiner.  Our  close  association  as  fellow-officers  has  made  me 
•acquainted  with  his  peculiar  qualifications,  and  I therefore 
know  him  to  be  fitted  for  the  situation  ; and  I do  not  know  any 
other  person  that  is.”  He  had  a high  ideal  of  what  a chief 
•coiner  should  be. 

Mr.  Eckfeldt  died  February  6,  1852,  in  his  83d  year. 

Franklin  Peale  was  the  son  of  Charles  Willson  Peale,  the 
eminent  artist  and  founder  of  Peale’s  Museum.  Born  in  the 
Hall  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  October  15, 1795, 
he  was  presented  to  the  society  by  his  father,  when  four  months 
old,  as  “the  first  child  born  in  the  Philosophical  Hall,”  and 
with  a request  that  the  society  should  name  him.  He  was  ac- 
cordingly named  after  the  chief  founder  and  first  President  of 
the  Society — Franklin. 

Young  Peale  early  showed  a taste  for  mechanics,  and  his 
father  gave  him  every  facility  to  improve  himself  in  any  direc- 
tion in  which  nature  seemed  to  lead  him.  Part  of  his  general 
•education  was  received  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  and 
part  at  the  Germantown  Academy.  At  the  age  of  seventeen 
be  entered  the  machine  shop  of  Hodgson  & Bro.,  Delaware. 


116 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OP 


He  soon  grew  to  be  a skilled  mechanic  and  draughtsman* 
Some  time  after  he  became  manager  of  his  father’s  Museum. 
He  assisted  Baldwin  in  the  construction  of  the  first  locomotive 
built  in  this  country.  In  1833  Mr.  P°ale  entered  the  Mint 
service,  and  was  sent  to  Europe  by  Director  Moore  to  examine 
into  foreign  Mint  methods.  He  brought  with  him  valuable 
apparatus  for  the  Assay  Department,  together  with  other  im- 
portant improvements  and  suggestions.  He  was  appointed 
Melter  and  Refiner  in  1836  and  Chief  Coiner  in  1839.  He 
introduced  the  first  steam  coining  press,  the  milling  machine 
and  some  other  of  our  more  modern  forms  of  Mint  machinery. 

Mr.  Peale’s  administration  as  Chief  Coiner  may  be  said  to 
mark  an  era  in  the  mechanic  arts  of  Minting.  Being  specially 
fitted,  by  natural  genius  as  well  as  education,  for  the  position 
which  he  adorned,  his  mildness,  integrity,  gentlemanly  bearing; 
and  high  moral  and  mental  culture  constituted  him  a model 
officer.  His  connection  with  the  service  lasted  until  1854* 
He  died  on  the  5th  of  May,  1870. 

George  K.  Childs,  appointed  December  12,  1854. 

Lewis  R.  Broomall,  appointed  June  30,  1861. 

John  G.  Butler,  appointed  November  30,  1863. 

A.  Loudon  Snowden,  appointed  October  1,  1866. 

(For  sketch  of  A.  Loudon  Snowden,  see  list  of  Directors? 
and  Superintendents,  page  92.) 

Colonel  0.  C.  Bosbyshell.  On  the  4th  of  May,  1869* 
Ex-Governor  Pollock,  then  Director  of  the  Mint,  appointed 
Col.  Bosbyshell  Register  of  Deposits.  His  course  in  the  Mint 
was  so  satisfactory  that,  without  solicitation,  he  was  made 
assistant  coiner  by  Col.  A.  L.  Snowden,  the  then  coiner,  on 
the  1st  of  October,  1872.  Upon  Col.  Snowden’s  appointment 
as  Postmaster  of  Philadelphia,  Col.  Bosbyshell  was  appointed 
Coiner  of  the  Mint  by  President  Grant,  on  the  15th  of  De- 
cember, 1876,  and  remained  in  that  capacity  until  January, 
1885,  when,  to  the  regret  of  all  parties  having  business  rela- 
tions with  him,  he  tendered  his  resignation  to  accept  a respon- 
sible position  in  the  Controller’s  Office,  tendered  him  by  his 
friend,  Col.  Robert  P.  Dechert. 

William  S.  Steel  was  born  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
on  the  1st  of  March,  1841.  He  received  a good  common 
school  education,  and  in  1856  entered  the  office  of  David 
Cooper  & Co.,  at  Girard’s  wharves,  remaining  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits  till  1861.  At  19  years  of  age  he  was  appointed 
by  Colonel  James  Ross  Snowden,  then  Director  of  the  Lmited 
States  Mint,  First  Assistant  Weigh  Clerk.  In  this  position 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


117 


lie  served  continuously  through  Colonel  J.  Ross  Snowden,  ex- 
Governor  Pollock,  and  Colonel  A.  Loudon  Snowden’s  admin- 
istrations. In  September,  1862,  just  before  the  battle  of 
Antietam,  Mr.  Steele  entered  the  State  service,  and  served 
with  the  Thirty-second  Regiment,  Pennsylvania  Volunteers, 
until  discharged  by  expiration  of  term.  When  Colonel  A. 
Loudon  Snowden  was  transferred  to  the  Post  Office,  January, 
1877,  Mr.  Steele,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  then 
Coiner,  Colonel  0.  C.  Bosby shell,  became  Assistant  Coiner,  a 
position  he  filled  in  a most  acceptable  manner,  uutil  Colonel 
Bosby  shell’s  retirement  in  February,  1885,  when  he  was  made 
Coiner. 

John  McCormick,  Assistant  Coiner,  was  born  in  Philadel- 
phia (Northern  Liberties),  and  was  educated  in  the  North 
East  Grammar  School.  He  was  appointed  Assistant  Coiner 
by  Superintendent  Bosbyshell,  in  June,  1890,  having  previous 
to  his  appointment  held  several  positions  of  trust  in  different 
city  and  county  departments. 


Hr.  Henry  Leffmann  was  appointed  Chief  Coiner  at  the 
Philadelphia  Mint  January  10,  1888,  by  President  Cleveland. 
Hr.  Leffmann  was  born  in  Philadelphia  September  9,  1817, 
and  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Philadelphia,  in- 
cluding four  years  at  the  Central  High  School.  He  devoted 
three  years  in  practical  study  in  the  laboratory  of  Hr.  Charles 
M.  Cresson,  and  graduated  at  Jefferson  Medical  College  in 
1869,  having  been  for  some  years  assistant  to  the  Professor  of 
Chemistry  at  the  College,  and  in  1875  was  elected  Lecturer 
on  Toxicology,  which  position  he  held  for  a number  of  years. 
In  1876  he  was  elected  to  take  charge  of  the  laboratory  of  the 
Central  High  School,  and  remained  in  that  position  for  four 
yrars.  In  1888  he  was  elected  Professor  of  Chemistry  and 
Metallurgy  in  the  Pennsylvania  College  of  Hental  Surgery,  a 
position  which  he  still  holds ; and  he  has  been  for  a number 
-of  years  Professor  of  Chemistry  and  Mineralogy  in  the  Wag- 
ner Free  Institute  of  Science.  Hr.  Leffman  has  been  engaged 
as  chemical  expert  in  patent  and  criminal  cases,  notably  in 
the  Goerson  poisoning  case  and  the  chrome-yellow  poisoning 
-cases.  He  is  a member  of  several  American  and  foreign 
scientific  societies,  has  contributed  papers  to  current  scientific 
literature,  and  has  for  the  past  five  years  been  editor  of  The 
Polyclinic , a monthly  medical  journal.  In  1880  he  was  a 
andidate  for  Coroner  on  the  Hemocratic  ticket,  but  was  de- 


118 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF  THE 


feated,  and  in  1884  was  appointed  Port  Physician  for  Phila- 
delphia, by  Governor  Pattison.  Mr.  Leffman  not  being  con- 
firmed, never  acted  as  Coiner. 

ASSAYERS. 

Jacob  R.  Eckfeldt,  Sixth  Assayer,  was  born  in  Philadel- 
phia, 1846.  He  entered  the  Assay  Department  as  Second 
Weigher,  in  1865.  By  regular  promotions  he  reached  the 
position  of  Assistant  Assayer,  in  1872,  and  upon  the  death  oi 
his  superior  he  was  appointed  and  confirmed  as  Assayer,  De- 
cember 21,  1881.  The  position  of  Assayer  is  one  of  great 
responsibility,  and  demands  not  only  scientific  training  but 
wide  and  special  knowledge  and  experience  upon  subjects  re- 
lating to  the  history  and  arts  of  Coinage.  Since  the  founda- 
tion of  the  Mint  there  have  been  but  six  official  heads  of  this 
department. 

Homer  L.  Pound  w7as  born  in  Chippewa  Falls,  Wisconsin,, 
in  1858.  He  entered  Prof.  Murdock’s  Chemical  Laboratory, 
in  Chicago,  111.,  in  1880,  and  in  May,  1881,  entered  thm 
Assay  Department  of  the  U.  S.  Mint,  Philadelphia.  He  re- 
signed in  March,  1883,  to  accept  the  position  of  Register, 
U.  S.  Land  Office,  at  Hailey,  Idaho,  to  which  he  had  been 
appointed  by  President  Arthur.  In  1889  he  again  entered 
the  Assay  Department  of  the  Mint  in  Philadelphia  as  am 
assistant,  and  in  April,  1891,  was  promoted  to  the  position 
of  Assistant  Assayer. 

JACOB  R.  ECKFELDT. 

Extract  from  an  Obituary  Notice  by  Mr.  Du  Bois. 

[Read  before  the  American  Philosophical  Society , Oct.  4th,  1872.) 

Jacob  R.  Eckfeldt,  late  Assayer  of  the  Mint,  was  the  son  of  Adam  and' 
Margaretta  Eckfeldt,  and  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  March  — , 1803.  He 
was,  therefore,  in  his  seventieth  year,  at  the  time  of  decease,  August  9th, 
1872. 

In  the  Spring  of  1832,  Mr.  John  Richardson,  who  had  been  Assayer 
about  one  year,  and  did  not  find  the  employment  congenial  to  his  tastes, 
informed  Mr.  Eckfeldt  that  he  intended  to  resign,  and  wished  him  to  pre- 
pare to  take  the  place.  Mr.  E.  shrank  from  this  responsibility,  and  declined. 
But  some  of  his  friends  who  had  influence  with  President  Jackson,  pre- 
sented his  name  with  a strong  recommendation  and  he  was  appointed  with- 
out being  asked  as  to  his  party  preferences.  This  occured  on  the  30th  of' 
April,  1832.  He  therefore  held  the  office  over  forty  years. 

When  he  entered  upon  the  work,  he  had  to  encounter  some  embarrass- 
ments. The  apparatus  was  old-fashioned,  and  not  calculated  for  nice 
results.  The  silver  assay  had  been  well  performed,  without  going  to  a 
close  figure,  for  many  years;  but  gold  was  little  known  in  the  country  or- 
at  the  Mint,  and  it  is  not  surprising  that  its  assay  was  incorrectly  per- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


m 


formed.  Add  to  this,  there  was  the  coarse  and  cumbrous  nomenclature, 
brought  from  the  old  country,  of  carats  and  grains  for  gold  fineness,  and 
so  many  grains  to  the  pound  for  silver  fineness. 

Close  upon  all  this,  that  is  to  say,  in  June,  1834,  came  the  celebrated 
reduction  in  the  standards  of  our  gold  coin,  one  of  the  chief  measures  of 
the  Jackson  administration.  This  changed  gold  from  a curiosity  to  a 
currency ; bullion  and  foreign  coin  flowed  to  the  mint,  and  accuracy  of 
assay  was  more  than  ever  needful.  Mr.  Eckfeldt  was  equal  to  the  emer- 
gency, and  resolutely  introduced  reforms,  which,  at  first,  made  the  older 
officers  stand  in  doubt. 

In  those  days,  about  the  time  the  new  mint  edifice  on  Chestnut  street 
was  finishing,  Mr.  Peale  was  sent  to  London  and  Paris  to  observe  tho 
methods  of  assaying  and  refining,  and  to  procure  a new  apparatus.  We 
Were  thus  supplied  with  French  beams,  weights,  and  cupel  furnaces,  and 
with  the  appliances  of  Gay-Lussac’s  humid  assay,  and  the  printed  details 
of  the  process.  Soon  after,  Mr.  Saxton,  famous  for  his  skill  in  construct- 
ing balances  and  other  delicate  instruments,  returned  from  a long  schooling 
in  that  line  in  London,  and  was  employed  in  the  Mint.  Thus  furnished, 
Mr.  Eckfeldt  felt  himself  “set  up,”  and  able  to  compete  with  the  foreign 
assayers,  and  if  he  was  ever  more  precise,  it  was  because  he  disregarded 
certain  allowances  which  had  become  a time-honored  custom. 

A large  importation  of  fine  gold  bars  from  France,  known  as  the  French 
Indemnity,  and  which  came  because  President  Jackson  declared  he  “would 
submit  to  nothing  that  was  wrong,”  gave  a fine  opportunity  for  testing  and 
comparing  foreign  assays;  and  it  was  generally  found  that  these  bars  were 
somewhat  below  the  alleged  fineness.  A still  more  important  discovery, 
was  the  fact  that  British  Sovereigns  ran  below  their  standard  of  fineness. 
This  happened  when  he  had  been  in  office  less  than  three  years,  and  the 
Director  was  unwilling  to  set  the  finding  of  young  Eckfeldt  against  the 
experience  of  Old  England.  The  Assayer  being  assured  and  re-assured  of 
the  accuracy  of  his  results,  Director  Moore  consented  to  notify  the  British 
Government  of  their  error.  The  result  was  a closer  scrutiny  in  the  London; 
Mint,  and  a final  acknowledgement  that  they  were  wrong.  This  was  no 
less  a triumph  for  Mr.  Eckfeldt,  than  it  was  a contribution  to  exact  science, 
and  an  honor  to  the  American  Government. 

It  is  not  surprising,  that  he  felt  at  first  the  inconvenience  of  passing  from 
one  form  of  nomenclature  to  another,  though  to  a better  one.  A friend 
remarks,  “I  recall  conversations  with  Mr.  Eckfeldt,  showing  how  seriously 
he  felt  the  revolution.  He  would  think  in  carats,  and  report  in  decimals. 
And  I often  recur  to  this  as  illustrating  the  kind  of  difficulties  which  would 
arise  in  case  of  a decimalising  of  weights  and  measures.” 

For  some  years  prior  to  1842,  Mr.  Eckfeldt  and  his  Assistant,  in  addition 
to  their  ordinary  duties,  engaged  in  the  preparation  of  an  original  and 
comprehensive  work  on  the  Coins  of  all  Nations;  on  the  Varieties  of  Gold 
and  Silver  Bullion;  on  Counterfeit  Coins,  and  on  other  subjects  related 
thereto.  This  was  published  in  1842,  and  has  long  been  regarded  as  a 
standard  authority.  In  1850,  they  issued  a supplementary  smaller  work, 
and  again  in  1852. 

As  the  United  States  increased  in  commerce,  wealth  and  population,  the 
Mint  of  course  increased  in  work.  In  particular,  Mexican  dollars  came  in 
great  quantities  for  recoinage.  Not  only  were  our  vaults  full,  but  our  entries- 
and  corridors  were  at  times  crowded  with  rows  of  kegs.  Every  day,  for 
years,  we  had  the  constant  task  of  sixteen  melts  of  silver  ingots  to  melt  and 
assay ; and  it  was  a great  advantage  and  satisfaction  to  be  supplied  with 
the  humid  apparatus. 

The  success  of  gold  mining  in  our  Southern  States,  and  the  increasing  com- 
merce of  New  Orleans,  gave  rise  to  the  establishment  of  three  branch  mints 
at  the  South,  in  1837 ; and  it  devolved  upon  Mr.  Eckfeldt  to  become  school- 
master, and  educate  the  three  assayers  appointed  for  those  places.  The  same 
had  to  be  done  again  at  a latter  date  for  other  mints  and  assay  officer. 


120 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


In  December,  1848,  came  the  first  lot  of  gold  grains  from  California  t 
and  with  the  opening  of  the  next  year  the  tide  set  in  most  powerfully.  I 
shall  not  here  speak  of  this  great  turning-point  in  metallic  currency  any 
further  than  as  it  affected  the  mint,  or  rather  the  labor  which  it  laid  upon 
Mr.  Eckfeldt  and  his  department.  As  is  well  known,  the  lots  were 
numerous,  and  the  aggregate  amount  was  enormous.  Instead  of  making 
gold  assays  by  dozens,  we  had  to  go  through  with  hundreds  every  day, 
following  the  arrival  of  each  steamer.  We  procured  young  men  as  opera- 
tors in  the  weigh-room  and  additional  workmen  in  the  laboratory;  and 
in  spite  all  the  help  we  were  all  overworked.  Here  let  me  say  that  the 
persons  who  have  been  educated  by  Mr,  Eckfeldt  to  this  profession  have 
done  credit  to  the  selection  that  was  made,  not  only  by  skill,  diligence,  and 
good  character  while  here,  but  wherever  they  are  now  scattered  to  other 
mints  and  assay  offices,  or  to  different  pursuits. 

The  gold  pressure  continued  for  about  five  years,  when  it  was  relieved 
by  the  creation  of  a Government  assay  office  in  New  York,  and  a branch 
mint  at  San  Francisco.  But  directly  sequent  to  this  came  the  change  of 
standard  in  silver  coin,  causing  an  immense  recoinage  in  small  pieces. 
Thus  our  daily  assays  continued  to  count  by  hundreds.  This  lasted  for 
some  years.  When  it  began  to  slacken  off,  a law  was  passed  for  calling  in 
the  large  copper  coins  and  issuing  in  their  stead  pieces  of  copper-nickel 
alloy  of  much  smaller  size. 

The  analysis  of  Nickel  alloys  was  not  well  laid  down  in  the  books,  and 
the  European  or  other  assays  which  came  with  purchased  lots  showed  an 
incorrect  determination.  Mr.  Eckfeldt  was  therefore  obliged  to  study  out 
and  perfect  this  assay,  which  is  more  tedious  and  laborious,  though  of  less 
consequence,  than  the  assay  of  the  precious  metals. 

But  it  was  his  habit  to  be  as  scrupulous  in  minor  matters  as  in  major; 
and  after  the  routine  was  well  settled  it  went  on  with  the  same  clock- 
work regularity  as  the  other  branches  of  assaying.  I need  not  say  that 
this  nickel  coinage  imposed  another  heavy  pressure  upon  the  mint  for 
years. 

After  this  came  the  substitution  of  the  Bronze  alloy ; and  this  called  for 
another  process  of  assay,  and  brought  us  a great  deal  of  work. 

1 thus  hastily  review  this  sequence  of  gold,  silver,  nickel,  and  bronze, 
not  only  as  an  interesting  part  of  Mint  History,  but  to  show  the  varied  and 
abundant  services  of  the  untiring,  energetic  Principal  Assayer,  and  the 
masterly  skill  with  which  he  met  every  obligation. 

His  skill  and  success  as  an  Assayer  and  Analyst  largely  consisted  in  his 
power  of  finding  out  what  was  defective  or  erroneous,  and  in  applying  the 
proper  remedy.  It  often  seemed  that  what  was  a puzzle  to  others  was  to 
him  a matter  of  quick  insight. 

In  the  assays  of  certain  complex  alloys,  and  of  low  grades  of  gold  and 
silver,  he  contrived  various  methods  which  are  not  in  print,  but  which  are 
of  great  use  in  the  daily  manipulations. 

And  here  I may  state  that  he  not  only  introduced  great  accuracy  and 
precision  in  the  assays,  but  carried  special  investigations  to  a delicacy 
almost  incredible.  Thus,  much  interest  was  excited  by  a publication  some 
years  ago,  both  in  this  country  and  across  the  Atlantic,  of  his  experiment 
upon  the  brick-clay  which  underlies  our  city.  Taking  two  samples  from 
the  center  of  the  town  and  the  suburbs  he  found  they  contained  gold  at  the 
rate  of  nearly  12  grains  (say  fifty  cents)  to  the  ton  of  clay  in  its  ordinary 
moisture.  Other  experiments  went  to  prove  the  very  general  diffusion  of 
gold,  in  infinitesimal  proportions. 

Some  analysts,  through  want  of  exactitude,  or  for  the  pleasure  of  making 
a sensation,  may  produce  very  curious  results ; but  Mr.  Eckfeldt  was  con- 
scientious, I may  say,  nervously  scrupulous,  about  stating  anything  he  vas 
not  sure  of.  Partly  for  that  reason,  partly  for  the  very  love  of  work,  be 
was  laborious  to  a fault,  all  his  life  long. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


121 


United  States  Mint  Officers. 


'Washington,  D.  C.,  Edward  O.  Leech,  Director  of  the  Mint §4,500 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Oliver  C.  Bosbyshell,  Superintendent 4,500 

Boise  City,  Idaho,  Norman  H.  Camp 2,000 

•Carson  City,  Nevada,  James  Crawford,  Superintendent 3,000 

Charlotte,  N.  C.,  Calvin  J.  Cowles,  Assayer 1,500 

Denver,  Colorado,  Herman  Silver,  Assayer 2,500 

Helena,  Montana,  Russell  B.  Harrison,  Assayer 2,500 

New  Orleans,  La.,  Andrew  W.  Smyth,  Superintendent 3,500 

New  York,  N.  Y.,  Andrew  Mason,  Superintendent 4,500 

:3mi  Francisco,  Cal.,  Edw.  F.  Burton,  Superintendent . 4,500 

«L  Louis,  Mo.,  Eliot  C.  Jewett,  Assayer 2,500 


WILLIAM  E.  DU  BOIS. 

Extract  from  an  obituary  notice  by  Robert  Patterson. 
(Read  before  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  November  18, 1881.) 


William  Ewing  Du  Bois  was  born  at  Doylestown,  Pennsylvania,  Decem- 
ber 15,  1810.  Through  his  father,  Rev.  Uriah  Du  Bois,  he  was  descended 
from  Louis  Du  Bois,  a French  Huguenot  of  honorable  extraction,  who  em- 
igrated to  America  in  1660,  seeking  freedom  of  religious  worship,  and,  in 
connection  with  others  of  his  countrymen,  formed  the  settlement  of  New 
Paltz,  Ulster  County,  New  York.  Through  his  mother,  Martha  Patterson, 
daughter  of  Professor  Robert  Patterson,  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
he  inheiited  the  Scotch-Irish  element  which  has  exerted  so  marked  an 
influence  in  the  development  of  our  country. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Du  Bois  was  a Presbyterian  clergyman,  in  charge  of 
churches  in  and  near  Doylestown,  and  was  principal  of  the  Union  Academy 
At  that  place,  a classical  school  then  and  afterwards  of  high  reputation.  He 
was  greatly  respected,  both  as  preacher  and  teacher. 

The  bright  and  studious  mind  of  Mr.  Du  Bois  gathered  every  advantage 
from  his  opportunities,  and  he  was  well  furnished  in  the  classics  and  math- 
ematics, and  in  English  literature.  While  yet  a boy  he  developed  a free- 
dom and  capacity  as  a writer  quite  remarkable. 

His  oldest  brother  was  an  eminent  member  of  the  bar,  and  it  seemed 
fitting  that  Mr.  Du  Bois  should,  under  his  guidance,  adopt  the  law  as  his 
profession.  He  accordingly  pursued  the  usual  course,  in  the  meantime 
aiding  to  support  himself  by  literary  work  and  conveyancing,  and  was 
admitted  to  practice  in  September,  1832.  But  his  health  failing  him  on 
account  of  a bronchial  affection,  he  accepted  an  appointment  in  the  Mint 
at  Philadelphia,  and  thus  began  the  life-work  by  which  his  reputation  was 
‘established. 

Mr.  Du  Bois  entere  1 the  Mint  in  September,  1833,  and  was  first  employed 
in  the  office  of  the  Director,  Dr.  Moore.  In  1835,  at  the  request  of  the 
Assayer,  Mr.  Jacob  R.  Eckfeldt,  he  was  transferred  to  a more  congenial 
position  in  the  assay  department.  Here  he  continued  for  the  remainder  of 
Lis  life.  In  1836  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Assayer.  In  September,  1872, 
he  succeeded  Mr.  Eckfeldt  as  Assayer,  and  remained  at  the  head  of  the  de- 
partment until  his  death,  July  14,  1881,  thus  completing  nearly  forty-eight 
years  of  Mint  service. 

Mr.  Du  Bois  early  took  rank  as  an  accomplished  assayer,  and  long  before 
his  death  had  reached  the  head  of  his  profession. 

The  close  intimacy  between  Mr.  Du  Bois  and  Mr.  Eckfeldt  developed 
into  warm  friendship.  The  tie  was  made  closer  by  the  marriage  of  Mr. 
Du  Bois,  in  1840,  to  Susanna  Eckfeldt,  the  sister  of  his  chief.  I shall  have 
to  speak  of  published  works  and  scientific  communications  appearing  under 
the  names  of  Eckfeldt  and  Du  Bois.  Although  it  was  understood  that  Mr. 
Du  Bois  was  the  sole  literary  author,  yet  no  separate  claim  of  authorship 
was  made  by  either.  Whatever  of  reputation  was  earned,  each  was  con- 
tented that  it  might  be  shared  by  the  other,  and  jealousy  never  for  a 
moment  weakened  a union  that  bound  them  for  life. 


122 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


In  the  year  1834  a change  took  place  in  the  ratio  of  gold  to  silver  in  the- 
standard  of  U.  S.  coins,  the  effect  of  which  was  to  bring  large  deposits  of 
gold  to  the  Mint.  The  coinage  previously  had  been  chiefly  of  silver.  The 
more  equal  supply  of  the  precious  metals  gave  active  employment  in  the 
assay  of  each  of  them,  and  was,  of  course,  most  valuable  as  an  experience 
to  Mr.  Du  Bois,  who  about  this  time  became  connected  with  the  assay  de- 
partment. 

In  1837,  on  revision  of  the  Mint  laws  and  standards  brought  about  by 
Dr.  Robert  M.  Patterson,  then  Director,  a reform  was  effected  in  the 
method  of  reporting  assays,  the  millesimal  system  taking  the  place  of  the 
time-honored  but  cumbrous  method  of  carats  and  grains.  About  this  time, 
also,  the  older  plan  of  assaying  silver  was  abandoned,  the  humid  assay 
being  substituted,  and  largely  worked  under  the  direct  supervision  of  Mr. 
Du  Bois. 

About  1838  branch  mints  were  organized  in  the  States  of  Louisiana,, 
Georgia,  and  North  Carolina.  The  labors  and  responsibilities  of  the  Phil- 
adelphia assay  department  were  increased  by  this  development,  partly  from 
the  necessity  of  instructing  assayers  for  the  new  branches,  and  partly  m 
testing  the  correctness  of  the  assays  made  there. 

In  1848  the  great  discovery  of  gold  in  California  was  made  known.  This 
brought  a tremendous  pressure  on  every  department  of  the  Mint,  and  not  - 
the  least  on  the  assayers.  The  gold  coinage  was,  in  three  years,  raised  from 
a little  over  three  million  dollars  to  more  than  sixty-two  millions.  Th© 
assays  were  often  counted  by  hundreds  in  a day.  But  whatever  the  pressure 
in  the  office,  accuracy  ruled,  and  the  correctness  of  the  assays  was  never 
impeached. 

In  1853  a change  was  effected  in  the  law  for  providing  subordinate  silver  • 
coins.  This  brought  about,  for  some  years  succeeding,  an  unprecedented 
coinage  of  that  metal,  and  still  further  increased  the  labors  of  the  assay 
department. 

He  instituted  the  Cabinet  of  coins  which  now  adorns  the  Mint.  This 
was  commenced  in  1838.  A small  annual  appropriation  was  procured  from 
Congress  for  this  purpose,  and  the  work  of  collection  committed  entirely 
to  Mr.  Du  Bois  He  brought  to  it  all  the  enthusiasm  which  animates  most 
numismatists,  sobered,  however,  by  good  judgment.  His  expenditures  were 
always  judicious.  Some  of  the  best  of  tire  specimens  were  culled  from  the 
Mint  deposits  for  the  bullion  value,  merely,  of -the  pieces.  After  the  collec- 
tion had  taken  good  shape,  and  been  well  classified,  he  wrote  and  pub- 
lished, in  1846,  a description  of  it,  under  the  title  “Pledges  of  History,” 
etc.  The  title  thus  selected  intimated  his  opinion  as  to  the  real  value  of 
such  collections.  He  thought  that  a coin  should  be  prized  for  its  historical 
teaching,  or  artistic  merit,  and  discouraged  the  rage  to  possess  a piece  sim- 
ply because  of  its  rarity.  Mr.  Du  Bois  acted  as  curator  of  the  Cabinet 
until  his  death 

Another  important  labor  undertaken  by  Mr.  Du  Bois  (in  connection 
with  Mr.  Eckfeldt)  was  the  preparation  and  publication,  in  1842,  of  a 
“Manual  of  the  Gold  and  Silver  Coins  of  all  nations,  struck  within  the 
past  century.”  This  was  a work  of  very  great  labor,  and,  from  its  expense, 
of  some  risk  also  to  the  authors.  It  is  admirably  arranged,  the  information 
clear,  and  it  embraced  every  subject  of  interest  at  that  date  as  to  coins, 
bullion,  counterfeits,  etc.  Subsequently,  in  1850  and  1851,  supplements 
were  published  covering  later  topics,  made  prominent  in  consequence  of 
the  California  gold  discoveries. 

The  writings  of  Mr.  Du  Bois  were  numerous,  and  continued  up  to  the 
year  of  his  death.  His  papers  on  numismatics  were  frequent  and  always 
attractive,  his  last  appearance  in  print  being  in  April  of  this  year,  in  an 
article  on  the  “ Coinage  of  the  Popes.”  To  the  “American  Philosophical 
Society,”  of  which  he  was  elected  a member  in  1844,  he  made  various  com- 
munications on  behalf  of  Mr.  Eckfeldt  and  himself,  mostly  on  topics  «ug-  - 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


12a 


gested  by  experiences  in  the  assay  department.  Among  the  most  carious 
was  one  on  “The  Natural  Dissemination  of  Gold,”  by  which  we  were  aston- 
ished to  learn  that  this  precious  metal  is  found  in  appreciable  quantity  i» 
the  clays  underlying  our  city. 

In  1869  he  wrote  for  the  “Bankers’  Magazine,”  “Propositions  for  a De- 
vised System  of  Weights,  and  a Restoration  of  Silver  Currency.”  The 
development  of  his  views  on  these  subjects  is  a model  of  clear  exposition, 
and  the  conclusions  reached  were  such  as  might  be  expected  from  a mind 
aiming  to  attain  practical  results  rather  than  to  impose  visionary  theories. 

From  the  beginning  he  was  highly  esteemed  at  the  Mint.  It  was  his 
ambition  to  acquire  a knowledge  of  every  branch  of  the  service,  and  with 
his  capacity  and  opportunities  this  end  was  attained.  He  early  became  ther 
trusted  friend  and  counsellor  of  his  colleagues,  and  was  able  to  serve  then* 
in  many  ways,  perhaps  most  of  all  with  his  ready  pen.  As  time  passed,.  1 
and  forty-eight  years  of  experience  was  given  to  him,  he  was  recognized  by 
all  as  the  Nestor  of  the  Mint  service.  And  here  I pause  to  draw  a lesson', 
from  the  example  of  Mr.  Du  Bois’s  life,  as  to  the  value  of  a properly  or- 
ganized civil  service.  In  the  department  wUh  which  he  was  connected, 
political  tests  were  never  obtruded,  and  permanence  of  tenure  followed  on 
merit.  On  no  other  basis  could  his  services  have  been  claimed  or  retained. 
They  would  have  been  transferred  to  a private  sphere,  probably  to  his 
pecuniary  gain,  certainly  to  the  public  loss.  He  was  very  accessible,  and 
ever  ready  to  lend  aid  from  the  stores  of  his  knowledge,  but  in  particular 
did  he  delight  to  instruct  and  bring  forward  his  younger  friends. 

Mr.  Du  Bois  was  able  to  fulfill  his  official  duties  until  within  a few  months 
of  his  death.  He  was  fully  conscious  of  his  approaching  end,  preserving 
his  intelligence  to  the  last,  and  the  faith  which  had  comforted  him  in  this, 
life  supported  him  at  its  close. 

The  following  minute  was  adopted  at  a meeting  of  the  officers  and  em- 
ployees after  his  decease: 

“The  remarkably  close  conformity  of  the  United  States  coins  to  the 
standard  assigned  them  by  law,  has  been  recognized  by  the  highest  Mint 
authorities  of  the  world  to  be  unsurpassed,  if  quite  equalled,  in  its  uniform 
exactness.  The  founding  of  such  a reputation  and  its  continuance  during 
the  last  half-century,  are  largely  due  to  the  joint  labors  of  the  late  Jacob 
R.  Eckfeldt  and  William  E.  Du  Bois.” 


MELTERS  AND  REFINERS. 

Joseph  Cloud,  appointed  January,  1797 ; served  until  Jai> 
uary,  1836  (39  years). 

Franklin  Peale,  appointed  January  5,  1836. 

Jonas  R.  McClintock,  appointed  February  19,  1840. 

Richard  S.  McCulloh,  appointed  in  April,  1846 ; served 
until  April  1,  1849, 

James  Curtis  Booth,  Melter  and  Refiner,  was  born  in 
Philadelphia  in  1810,  educated  in  the  same  place,  and  gradu- 
ated in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  1829.  After  study 
and  field  practice  in  the  Rensselaer  School,  at  Troy,  N.  Y.,  in 
1831-32,  under  the  late  Professor  A.  Eaton,  Mr.  Booth 
studied  Practical  Chemistry  in  Germany,  in  1833-34-35,  in 
the  laboratories  of  Professors  F.  Wohler  and  G.  Magnus,  and 


124 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


in  visiting  accessible  manufacturing  establishments  in  Ger- 
many and  England  having  relation  to  chemistry.  The  late 
Prof.  J.  F.  Frazer  and  Mr.  Booth  were  the  two  Assistants  on 
the  Geological  Survey  of  Pennsylvania  in  its  first  year,  1836. 
Mr.  Booth  next  had  charge  of  the  Geological  Survey  of  Dela- 
ware in  183T— 38  (being  often  assisted  by  Prof.  Frazer),  and 
published  his  report  on  the  survey  in  1839-40. 

Mr.  Booth,  observing  the  great  deficiency  in  the  knowledge 
of  Applied  Chemistry  in  his  native  place,  opened  a laboratory 
for  teaching  the  same,  by  chemical  analysis  and  by  operating 
in  1836,  and  the  same  laboratory  has  been  continued  success* 
fully  to  the  present  time  by  Dr.  T.  H.  Garrett  and  Mr.  A. 
Blair. 

With  the  same  object  in  view,  Mr.  Booth  lectured  at  the 
Franklin  Institute  for  nine  successive  winters,  giving  three 
full  courses  of  lectures,  each  of  three  winters’  duration  (1836— 
1845). 

Prior  to  1850  Mr.  Booth  published  the  Encyclopaedia  of 
Chemistry,  being  the  author  of  the  majority  of  the  articles 
contained  in  it,  with  valuable  contributions  by  Prof.  B.  S. 
McCulloch  and  others.  It  was  a valuable  adjunct  to  the  study 
of  chemistry  for  many  years. 

The  Director  and  officers  of  the  Mint  unsuccessfully  solicited 
the  appointment  of  Mr.  Booth  as  Melter  and  Refiner  of  the 
Mint  in  1838-40,  but  in  1849  Mr.  Booth  obtained,  through 
his  friend,  Mr.  Meredith,  the  appointment,  over  the  signature 
of  President  Z.  Taylor,  and  has  continued  in  the  same  position 
from  that  date  to  188T,  a period  of  more  than  thirty-six  years. 
He  resigned  his  office  at  the  close  of  the  year  1887 ; although 
in  infirm  health  he  was  not  relieved  of  the  responsibility  of 
the  position  until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  21,  1888. 

Dr.  David  K.  Tuttle  was  commissioned  Melter  and  Re- 
finer on  March  22,  1888.  He  was  born  in  Morris  Co., 
1ST.  J.,  September  19,  1835.  His  ancestors  came  from  England 
and  settled  at  New  Haven  in  1639.  Their  decendants  were 
energetic,  public-spirited  citizens,  and  many  of  the  families 
prominent  in  New  England  history,  whether  for  theology, 
literature,  or  art,  may  trace  their  lineage  back  to  these  early 
settlers,  William  and  Elizabeth  Tuttle. 

The  Edwards,  Dwights,  Stoddards,  Kensetts,  and  many 
others  whose  lives  have  made  a marked  impress  on  the  times 
in  which  they  lived,  find  this  family  name  among  their  imme- 
diate ancestors.  Thus,  the  grandmother  of  Johnathan  Edwards 
was  Elizabeth  Tuttle ; and  in  later  times,  that  of  the  artist 
Kensett  was  Eunice  Tuttle. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


125 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  went,  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  to 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  where  older  brothers  were  engaged  in 
business.  Within  two  years  he  had  charge  of  a small  elec- 
trotyping plant,  then  a comparatively  young  industry.  This 
provided  an  income,  and  left  some  hours  each  day  for  study 
and  experiment.  In  1852  he  attended  the  lectures  on  chem- 
istry given  by  the  late  Prof.  John  Wm.  Draper  in  the  Medical 
Department  of  the  University  of  New  York.  The  masterly 
and  brilliant  treatment  of  the  subject  by  that  eminent  man 
fixed  the  purpose  of  the  young  student  to  devote  himself  to 
the  study  of  natural  science. 

He  entered  the  Lawrence  Scientific  School  of  Harvard 
University  in  1853,  and  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Science  in  1855.  In  the  summer  of  the  same  year  he  went  to 
Germany  and  matriculated  at  the  Georgia  Augusta  University 
at  Gottingen,  where,  after  two  years  of  close  application,  he 
was  graduated  as  Master  of  Arts  and  Doctor  of  Philosophy  in 
1857. 

In  the  autumn  of  that  year  Dr.  Tuttle  was  appointed  Ad- 
junct Professor  in  the  University  of  Virginia,  and  placed  in 
charge  of  the  laboratory  then  opened  for  the  practical  instruc- 
tion of  students  in  analytical  chemistry.  After  five  years  de- 
voted to  such  teaching,  he  became  interested  in  metallurgical 
enterprises  more  to  his  taste,  which  he  followed  with  success, 
acquiring  valuable  experience  in  the  mining  and  treatment  of 
lead,  iron,  gold,  and  silver  ores. 

Dr.  Tuttle  was  appointed  Melter  and  Refiner  of  the  Carson 
City  Mint  on  the  reopening  of  that  institution  in  1886,  and 
held  that  position  until  his  appointment  to  succeed  Dr.  Booth 
in  the  Mint  at  Philadelphia. 

Nathaniel  B.  Boyd,  Assistant  Melter  and  Refiner,  was 
born  in  Philadelphia*,  January,  1832.  Twenty  years  later,  he 
was  graduated  with  honors  at  Burlington  College.  After 
leaving  College  he  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Phila- 
delphia  Bar  in  1854.  In  1869  he  accepted  an  appointment 
in  the  National  Mint,  tendered  him  by  Director  Pollock.  In 
1873  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Melter  and  Refiner,  a position 
which  he  still  occupies. 

THE  MINT  ENGRAVERS. 


(Extract  from  Patterson  Du  Bois’  Biographical  Sketch  of  “ Our  Mint  Engravers.”) 

Whatever  may  be  said  concerning  the  peculiar  responsibili- 
ties of  the  officers  of  the  Mint,  who  are  occupied  with  the 


126 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Yarious  operations  of  turning  bullion  into  coin,  it  must  be 
conceded  that  none  of  them  occupies  a position  so  dubious 
and,  in  some  ways,  so  unenviable  as  the  Engraver.  In  the 
general  transactions  of  the  Mint,  he  is  the  most  retired — the 
most  obscure — of  its  officers ; yet  his  card  is  in  every  one’s 
pocket. 

As  to  the  types  of  coinage,  the  standards  are  as  numerous 
as  the  eyes  that  water  for  them,  and  there  is  no  piece  but  may 
be  said  to  be  outside  of  somebody  § tolerance.  No  oiner  artist 
undergoes  such  an  ordeal,  for  those  who  do  not  admire  this 
painting  or  that  statue  are  not  compelled  to  hug  and  hoard 
it,  much  less  to  toil  for  its  possession.  The  engraver  who  can, 
from  his  retired  window,  see  the  critical  millions  clutching  for 
his  little  relievos , is  in  some  sort  a hero  ex-officio , and  it  has 
been  well  suggested  that  we  look  briefly  upon  the  uneventful 
lives  of  this  worthy  line  of  officers. 

I.  Robert  Scot  received  his  appointment  as  the  first  En- 
graver of  the  Mint,  November  23,  1793.  Information  is 
wanting  as  to  his  nativity,  but  at  the  time  of  his  appointment 
he  seems  to  have  been  turning  the  down-hill  of  life.  He  is 
remembered  as  rather  under  size,  and  as  an  honorable  and 
agreeable  gentleman. 

According  to  Loubat,  Joseph  Wright  was  “ appointed  first  a 
draughtsman  and  die-sinker  to  the  United  States  Mint,  and 
made  the  dies  of  a medal,  the  bust  on  the  obverse  of  which 
was  considered  to  be  the  best  medallic  profile  likeness  of  Wash- 
ington.* He  also  made  the  medal  voted  by  Congress  to  Major 
Lee.”  Wright  died  in  1793. 

II.  William  Kneass,  second  of  the  line,  was  born  in  Lan- 
caster, Pa.,  September,  1781,  and  was  appointed  Engraver 
January  29,  1824.  Mr.  Kneass  had  been  chiefly  a plate 
engraver  for  book-work.  There  were  some  changes  in  the 
coinage  during  his  term,  notably  in  1834  and  1838,  for  gold, 
and  1836,  1837,  1838,  and  1840,  for  silver.  But  some  of 
this  work  was  done  by  Gobreclit  as  assistant.  Kneass  appears 
upon  a pattern  half  dollar  of  1838  ; but  the  silver  dollar  of 

836,  as  well  as  a pattern  half  of  1838,  were  the  work  of  his 
assistant.  Prior  to  his  appointment  he  had  an  engraving 
office  on  Fourth  above  Chestnut  street,  Philadelphia,  which 
was  a well-known  rendezvous  for  the  leading  wits  and  men  of 
culture,  for  which  Philadelphia  was  then  eminent. 

Mr.  Kneass  died  in  office,  August  27,  1840.  A good  en- 
graving of  him  hangs  in  the  Assay er’s  Office,  inscribed  “ to 

* The  Phototype  of  Washington’s  Profile  likeness  in  the  bound  edition  of  this  bootu 
2« from  this  Medal,  known  as  the  Iloudon  Medal. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


127 


Ihis  friend  Adam  Eekfeldt,  Chief  Coiner,” — who  had  been 
chiefly  instrumental  in  securing  his  appointment. 

III.  Christian  Gobrechtwas  appointed  December  21,  1840, 
to  fill  the  vacancy  made  by  the  death  of  Kneass.  He  was 
born  in  Hanover,  York  Co.,  Pa.,  December  28,  1785.  In 
1811  he  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  became  an  engraver  of 
bank  notes,  seals,  calico  printers’  rolls,  bookbinders’  dies,  etc. 
In  1886  he  received  an  appointment  as  assistant  to  Mr. 
Kneass  at  the  Mint,  in  which  capacity  he  executed  some  im- 
portant work.  Among  other  similar  performances  he  was 
highly  commended  for  his  Franklin  Institute  Medal. 

Christian  Gobrecht  continued  in  office  until  his  death,  July 
23,  1844. 

IV.  James  B.  Longacre  was  born  August  11,  1794,  in 
Delaware  Co.,  Pa.  He  served  an  apprenticeship  as  a line 
engraver  with  George  Murray,  Philadelphia,  and  did  some 
high  class  plate-work  before  he  was  free,  in  1819.  He  was 
one  of  the  originators  of  the  National  Portrait  Gallery  of 
Distinguished  Americans , the  first  volume  of  which  appeared 
in  1834.  Longacre  drew  from  life  and  engraved  many  of  the 
portraits  entire. 

Like  his  predecessors,  he  died  in  office — January  1,  1869. 
During  his  term  Mr.  Longacre  was  variously  assisted  by  P.  F 
Cross,  William  Barber,  Anthony  C.  Paquet,  and  William  H 
Key.  Cross  was  born  in  Sheffield,  England,  served  several 
years  in  the  Mint  here,  and  died  in  1856.  He  engraved  the* 
obverse  of  the  Ingraham  medal.  Paquet  was  born  in  Ham' 
burg,  1814,  emigrated  1848,  served  as  assistant  1857  to  1864, 
died,  1882.  He  engraved  the  medals  of  Grant,  Johnson, 
Buchanan,  Everett,  and  the  Life  Saving  Medals,  with  some 
others.  Key  is  a native  of  Brooklyn,  was  appointed  an 
assistant,  1864,  and  is  still  in  the  service.  He  executed  the 
Kane  Expedition  and  Archbishop  Wood  Medals.  The  changes 
and  additions  during  the  Longacre  term  were  numerous  and 
important,  both  as  to  alloys  and  denominations.  The  pattern 
pieces  also  record  various  experiments  in  the  art  of  coining. 

Y.  William  Barber,  fifth  Engraver  of  the  Mint,  was  borij 
in  London,  May  2,  1807.  He  learned  his  profession  from  his 
father,  John  Barber,  and  was  employed  on  silver-plate  work, 
after  his  emigration  to  this  country. 

He  resided  in  Boston  ten  years,  and  was  variously  employed 
in  his  line  of  work.  His  skill  in  this  way  came  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  Mr.  Longacre,  then  Engraver  of  the  Mint,  and  he 
•secured  his  services  as  an  assistant  in  1865. 


128 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


In  January,  1869,  upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Longacre,  he  was 
appointed  as  his  successor,  and  continued  in  that  position  for 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  death,  which  resulted  from 
severe  chills,  brought  on  by  bathing  at  the  seashore,  occurred 
in  Philadelphia,  August  31,  18T9. 

Besides  much  original  work  on  pattern  coins,  he  also  pro- 
duced over  forty  medals,  public  and  private.  The  work  on  all 
of  them  was  creditable,  but  we  may  specify  those  of  Agassiz,, 
Bittenhouse,  and  Henry,  as  very  superior  specimens  of  art. 
Mr.  Barber  was  assisted  by  Mr.  William  H.  Key,  Mr.  Charles. 
E.  Barber,  and  Mr.  George  T.  Morgan. 

VI.  Charles  E.  Barber,  sixth  Engraver,  is  a son  of  the 
preceding,  and  was  born  in  London  in  1840.  He  was  ap- 
pointed an  assistant  in  1869,  and  became  the  official  head  by 
promotion  in  1880,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  his  father’s 
death.  The  appointment  was  not  unmerited.  One  of  Mr. 
Barber’s  latest  cards  to  the  public  is  the  new  five-cent  piece — 
a successful  venture  in  very  low  relief.  But  his  handiwork  is 
more  or  less  visible  in  all  the  principal  medals  executed  since- 
1869.  Since  his  appointment  as  Chief  Engraver,  the  work 
of  his  department  has  been  enormously  increased  by  tho 
number  of  medal  dies  demanded  for  the  War  Department  and 
from  other  Government  sources.  Mr.  Barber’s  best  work  is 
seen  in  the  medals  of  Presidents  Garfield,  Arthur,  Indian, 
Peace,  Army  Marksmanship,  and  Great  Seal.  He  is  par- 
ticularly happy  in  “catching  a likeness.”  The  head  of 
Superintendent  Snowden  is  a rare  specimen  of  medallic  por- 
traiture.* 

Messrs.  Key  and  Morgan  are  the  Engraver’s  assistants. 
The  former  has  already  received  notice ; the  latter,  Mr.  George- 
T.  Morgan,  was  born  in  Birmingham,  England,  in  1845 ; he- 
studied  at  the  Art  School  there,  and  won  a National  Scholar- 
ship at  the  South  Kensington,  where  he  was  a student  two 
years.  He  is  best  known  to  the  country  by  the  so-called 
“Bland  dollar,”  which  is  his  design  and  execution. 

We  have  reason  to  congratulate  both  the  Government  and 
the  people  that  the  engraving  service  is  well  and  judiciously 
furnished. 

BENJAMIN  RUSH, 

An  eminent  physician  and  philanthropist,  was  born  near  Phila- 
delphia, December  24,  1745;  he  graduated  from  Princeton. 
College  in  1760  ; he  afterwards  studied  medicine  in  Edinburgh,, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


129 


London,  and  Paris;  returning  to  this  country,  lie  was  elected 
Professor  of  Chemistry  in  the  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia 
in  1769.  In  1776  he  was  elected  to  the  Continental  Congress, 
and  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence in  the  same  year ; ho  was  afterwards  appointed  Surgeon- 
General  of  Revolutionary  Army,  and  voted  for  the  adoption 
of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  in  1787.  Dr.  Rush 
was  a popular  lecturer,  and  eminently  qualified  as  a teacher 
of  medicine.  When  the  yellow  fever  scourged  the  City,  and 
the  public  buildings  were  closed  in  1799  and  1800,  he  was 
very  successful  in  his  treatment  of  the  victims  of  that  epi- 
demic. It  is  said  that  he  visited  and  prescribed  for  one 
hundred  patients  in  a single  day.  He  was  treasurer  of  the 
first  United  States  Mint  during  the  last  fourteen  years  of  his 
life.  Dr.  Rush  died  in  Philadelphia  in  April,  1813.  Among 
his  nine  children  was  Richard  Rush,  the  statesman. 

Note. — Dr.  Kush  was  the  author  of  the  first  pamphlet  on  temperance  published  in 
this  country,  showing  the  injurious  effects  of  alcoholic  drinks  on  the  human  system, 
and  is  justly  regarded  as  the  father  of  the  temperance  movement,  the  Centennial  of 
which  has  lately  been  celebrated  throughout  the  United  f fat.es.  September,  1885. 


CHIEF  CLERK. 

Mark  H.  Cobb  was  Cashier  of  the  Mint  from  1871  until 
the  present  time  (1889) — was  born  in  Colebrook,  Connectitut, 
in  1828.  In  1861,  Hon.  Simon  Cameron,  then  Secretary  of 
War,  appointed  him  Chief  Clerk  in  the  War  Department,  he 
having  previously  been  his  private  secretary.  After  Mr. 
Cameron’s  resignation  as  Secretary,  Mr.  Cobb,  at  the  solicita- 
tion of  the  late  Col.  John  W.  Forney,  accepted  the  position  of 
Enrolling  Clerk  of  the  United  States  Senate  in  1862.  In 
1871  he  was  appointed  to  the  responsible  position  of  Cashier  in 
the  United  States  Mint.  Mr.  Cobb  is  now  (1890)  Chief  Clerk. 

Albion  Cox,  first  assayer  of  the  Mint  was  appointed  April 
4,  1794.  His  commission,  signed  by  Washington,  until 
recently,  hung  upon  the  walls  of  the  assay  office.  But  little  is 
known  of  Mr.  Cox,  save  that  he  was  an  Englishman  by  birth, 
and  a good  officer,  as  appears  from  the  following  report  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  made  by  Director  Boudinot,  under 
date,  December  3,  1795.  He  says:  “ The  sudden  and  un- 
expected death  of  the  assayer,  Mr.  Albion  Cox,  on  Fryday 
last  by  an  apoplectic  fit,  deprived  the  Mint  of  an  intelligent 
officer,  essentially  necessary  to  the  future  progress  in  the  coin- 
age of  the  precious  metals.  Until  this  officer  is  replaced,  the 
business  at  the  Mint  must  be  confined  to  striking  cents  only.” 

He  therefore  held  office  about  a year  and  eight  months. 


130 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Joseph  Richardson,  second  assayer,  was  appointed  December 
12,  17 95.  He  belonged  to  an  old  Quaker  family  distinguished 
for  ability  and  character.  Mr.  Richardson  fulfilled  the  duties 
of  his  office  with  credit  and  honor.  He  died  in  March,  1831. 
A water  color  portrait  of  him,  dressed  in  plain  Quaker  garb, 
hangs  in  the  assayers’  room.  He  held  office  over  thirty-five 
years. 

John  Richardson,  son  of  the  preceding,  was  appointed 
-assayer  March  31,  1831.  Finding  the  office  not  congenial  with 
.his  tastes,  and  so  subjecting  him  to  undue  responsibilities,  he 
resigned  April,  1832,  holding  office  only  a little  over  a year. 

CURATOR. 

R.  A.  McClure,  a gentleman  skilled  in  the  science  of 
numismatics,  was  appointed  Assistant  Curator  of  the  Coin 
Cabinet  in  1 868,  and,  upon  the  death  of  the  Assayer  and 
Chief  Curator  in  1881,  the  responsibilities  of  the  Curatorship 
fell  upon  Mr.  McClure. 

Standard  Weights. 

The  earliest  series  of  standard  weights  now  known,  are  two 
&ets  discovered  by  Mr.  Layard  in  the  ruins  of  Nineveh.  They 
■are  now  in  the  British  Museum.  William  the  Conqueror 
decreed  the  continuance,  as  the  legal  standard,  of  the  pound 
in  use  by  the  Saxons.  This  and  other  standards  of  weight 
and  measure  were  removed  by  the  King  from  the  City  of 
Winchester  to  the  Exchequer  at  Westminster,  and  placed  in 
a consecrated  building  in  charge  of  his  chamberlains.  The 
place  of  deposit  is  said  to  have  been  the  crypt  chapel  of  Ed- 
ward the  Confessor,  in  Westminster  Abbey.  In  1866  the 
office  of  Exchequer  was  abolished,  and  the  Standards  Depart- 
ment of  the  Board  of  Trade  was  established  in  London,  as- 
suming charge  of  the  standards — an  arrangement  still  in  force. 

The  old  Saxon  pound  was  the  earliest  standard  of  England. 
It  was  identical  in  weight  with  the  old  apothecaries’  pound  of 
Germany,  and  equal  to  5,400  of  our  later  Troy  grains.  The 
pound  sterling  was  determined  from  this  weight  in  silver. 
Henry  III.,  in  1266,  decreed  the  following  standards : The 
sterling,  or  penny,  to  weigh  equal  to  thirty-two  wheat  corns, 
taken  from  the  middle  of  the  ear;  twenty  pence,  one  ounce; 
twelve  ounces,  one  pound  ; eight  pounds,  one  gallon  of  wine, 
which  is  the  eighth  part  of  a quarter.  The  idea  of  the  grain 
was  borrowed  by  the  English  from  the  French,  and  the  Black 
Prince  brought  back  with  him  from  France  the  pound  Troy$> 


THE  EXITED  STATES  MINT. 


131 


which  was  derived  from  the  commercial  town  of  that  name. 
The  use  of  the  Troy  standard  was  adopted  by  the  druggists 
and  jewelers,  on  account  of  its  convenient  reduction  into 
grains. 

The  pound  avoirdupois,  weighing  7,000  grains  Troy,  (Fr. 
Avoir-du-poids , ‘‘to  have  weight  ”),  first  appears  in  use  during 
the  reign  of  Edward  III.,  and  it,  as  well  as  the  Troy  pound, 
has  been  employed  without  change  ever  since.  In  the  year 
1834  the  English  standards  of  weight  and  measure,  consisting 
of  a yard  and  pound  Troy  of  brass,  were  destroyed  by  fire 
at  the  burning  of  the  Houses  of  Parliament.  A few  years 
later  a commission  of  scientific  men  was  appointed  to  deter 
mine  upon  the  restoration  of  the  standards.  This  resulted  in 
a succession  of  difficult  problems  resultant  upon  the  oxidation 
to  a greater  or  less  extent  of  duplicates  of  the  standard  still 
•existing,  as  also  of  the  variation  of  the  cubic  inch  of  water,  as 
in  use  in  different  lands.  A cubic  inch  of  distilled  water, 
weighed  in  air  against  brass  weights,  at  a temperature  of  62 
degrees  Fahr.,  the  barometer  being  at  30  inches,  had  been  de- 
termined by  scientific  men  to  be  equal  to  252.458  grains,  o* 
which  the  standard  Troy  pound  contained  5,760. 

As  the  unit  of  length  was  also  lost,  a series  of  experiments 
was  made  in  the  vibration  of  a pendulum  in  a vacuum,  mark- 
ing seconds  of  mean  time  in  the  latitude  of  London  at  the  level 
of  the  sea.  These  deductions,  however,  failed  to  be  satisfactory, 
and  the  commission  was  compelled  to  fall  back  upon  the  best 
preserved  of  the  duplicate  standards  existent.  The  Imperial 
-Standard  Pound  is  declared  to  be  the  true  weight  of  an  avoir 
dupois  pound  in  a vacuum.  It  is  a curious  fact  that  the  Im- 
perial standards  of  platinum  (which  metal  is  not  subject  to 
oxidation),  although  balancing  brass  weights  in  a vacuum, 
weigh  in  air  more  than  one-half  a grain  heavier  than  the  latter. 
This  is  due  to  their  greater  displacement  of  space. 

The  unit  of  weight  in  the  United  States  is  a Troy  pound 
weight  obtained  from  England,  a duplicate  of  the  original 
-standard  fixed  by  the  commission  of  1758,  and  reasserted  by 
the  commission  of  1838.  It  is  a bronze  weight  of  5,760  grains 
Troy.  It  is  kept  in  a strong  safe  at  the  LTnited  States  Mint, 
in  Philadelphia.  The  President  appoints  an  assay  commission, 
whose  members  meet  at  Philadelphia  annually,  upon  the  second 
Wednesday  in  February,  open  the  safe,  and  compare  the  copies, 
or  the  working  weights,  with  the  original  upon  the  most  deli- 
cately poised  balances.  Working  standards  of  weights  and 
measures  are  supplied  by  the  Secretary  of  State  to  the  State 
governments,  which  in  turn  supply  them  to  the  sealers  of 


182 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Weights  and  measures  of  the  various  countries,  who  must  com- 
pare with  the  State  standard 
once  a year. 

All  of  the  scales  and  deli- 
cate test  instruments  in  use 
by  the  government,  not  only 
in  Philadelphia  Mint,  but  at 
the  several  branch  mints,  are 
manufactured  in  this  country, 
and  as  examples  of  wonder- 
ful mechanical  machines  of 
minute  accuracy  they  lead 
the  world.  Some  of  them 
are  the  work  of  Mr.  Henry 
Troemner,  of  Philadelphia,, 
to  whom,  it  is  proper  to  say, 
the  writer  is  largely  indebted 
for  the  facts  given  in  this 
article.  Mr.  Troemner,  in 
the  capacity  of  government 
expert,  makes  frequent  visits 
to  the  most  distant  points  in 
the  Union  for  the  verifica- 
tion of  national  standards. 
The  Treasury  Department  made  an  especial  request  of  him  to 
exhibit  at  the  ^New  Orleans  Exposition,  a line  of  his  fine? 
balances. 

EXTRACT  FROM  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

Article  I.,  Sect.  8.  The  Congress  shall  have  power  ...  to  coin  money* 
regulate  the  value  thereof  and  of  foreign  coins,  and  fix  the  standard  of 
weights  and  measures,  . . . to  provide  for  the  punishment  of  counterfeiting 
the  securities  and  current  coin  of  the  United  States. 

Article  I.  Sect.  2.  No  State  shall  . . . coin  money,  emit  bills  of  credit, 
make  anything  but  gold  and  silver  coin  a tender  in  payment  of  debts,  . . « 

Coinage,  Fiscal  Year  1891. 


troy  standard  pound  weight. 
Fac-simile,  exact  size. 


Description. 

Pieces. 

Value. 

Gold 

1,414,154 

$24,172,202  50- 

Silver  dollars 

36,232,802 

36,232,802  0G 

Subsidiary  silver  coins 

1 18,560,371 

2,039,218  35 

Minor  coins 1 

[ 63,340,550 

1,166,936  50 

Total | 

| ..>9,547,877 

$63,611,159  35 

THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT 


133 


Official  information  furnished  by  Hon.  E.  0.  Leech,  Di- 
rector of  the  U.  S.  Mint,  1892. 


Approximate  Distribution  by  Producing  States  and  Territories 
of  the  Product  of  Godd  and  Silver  from  the  Mines  of  the 
United  States  for  the  Calendar  Year  1891. 


State  or  Territory. 

Gold. 

Silver. 

Total  value 

Fine  ounces 

Value. 

Fine  ounces 

! Coining  vai. 

Alaska 

36,886 

§762,500 

7,500 

§9,697 

§772,197 

Arizona 

48,375 

1,000,000 

1,000,000 

1,292,929 

2,292,929 

California 

604,687 

12.500,000 

900,000 

1,163,636 

13,663,636 

Colorado 

200,756 

4,150,000 

18,800,000 

24,307,070 

28,457,070 

Georgia 

4,837 

100,000 

400 

517 

100,517 

Idaho 

89,494 

1,850,000 

3,700,000 

4,783,838 

6,633,838 

Michigan 

4,354 

90,000 

55,000 

71,111 

161,111 

Montana 

159,638 

3,300,000 

15,750,000 

20,363,636 

23,663,636 

Nevada 

! 135,450 

2,800,000 

4,450,000 

5,753,535 

8,553,535 

New  Mexico 

41,119 

850,000 

1,300,000 

1,680,808 

2,530,808 

North  Carolina 1 

5,732 

118,500 

6,000 

7,757 

126,257 

Oregon 

53,213 

1,100,000 

75,000 

96,969 

1,196,969 

South  Carolina 

4,837 

100,000 

400 

517 

100,517 

South  Dakota 

154,800 

3,200,000 

100,000 

129,292 

3,329,292 

Texas 

300,000 

387,878 

387,878 

Utah 

32,895 

680,000 

8,000,000 

10,343,434 

11,023  434 

Washington 

9,869 

204,000 

70,000 

90,505 

294,505 

Alabama,  Maryland,  Ten- 

nessee, Virginia,  Ver- 

mont, and  Wyoming... 

1,935 

40,000 

2,000 

2,585 

42,585 

Total 

1,588,877 

32,845,000 

54,516,300 

§70,485,714 

§103,330,714 

Silver  Coins  of  the  United  States. 


Denominations. 

1 

Coinage 
com-  j 
menced. 

1 

Coinage  | 
ceased. 

Amount  coined 
to  June  30,  1891. 

Standard 

weight, 

grains. 

Amount  for  which 
a legal  tender. 

Standard  dollars 

1878 

§405,659,268 

412.5 

Unlimited. 

Trade  dollars 

. 1873 

1883 

35,965,924 

420 

Not  a legal  tender 

Dollars 

. 1793 

1873 

8,031,238 

412.5 

Unlimited. 

Half  dollars 

. 1793 

122,911,410 

192.9 

Ten  dollars. 

Quarter  dollars 

. 1796 

39,029,500 

96.45 

Ten  dollars. 

Twenty  cent 

> 

> 

00 

1878 

271,000 

77.16 

Five  dollars. 

Dimes  

J 1796 

24,348,461  90 

38.58 

Ten  dollars. 

Half  dimes 

,.  1793 

1873 

4,880,219  40 

19.29 

Five  dollars. 

Three  cents 

,.  1851 

| 

1873 

1,282,087  20 

11.52 

Five  dollars. 

134 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


DEPOSITS  AND  PURCHASES  OF  GOLD  AND  SILVER. 

G-old. — The  gold  deposits  at  the  mints  and  assay  offices  of 
the  United  States  during  the  fiscal  year  ended  June  30, 1891, 
including  gold  contained  in  silver  deposits  and  purchases, 
aggregated  3,204,880,200  standard  ounces,  of  the  value  of 
$59,625,678.08. 

Of  the  gold  depositod,  2,606,111,797  standard  ounces,  of 
the  value  of  $48,485,800.82,  were  original  deposits,  and 
598,768,403  standard  ounces,  of  the  value  of  $11,139,877.26, 
were  redeposits. 

Silver. — The  deposits  and  purchases  of  silver,  including 
silver  contained  in  gold  deposits,  aggregated  during  the  last 
fiscal  year  71,869,663.92  standard  ounces,  of  the  coining 
value  ($1.16^r  per  standard  ounce,  or  $1.2929  per  fine- 
ounce)  of  $83,630,154.31. 

Of  the  silver  received  at  Government  institutions  during 
the  year  10,006,707.61  standard  ounces,  of  the  coining  value- 
of  $11,644,168.84,  were  redeposits,  so  that  the  original  de- 
posits of  silver  aggregated  61,862,956.31  standard  ounces,  of 
the  coining  value  of  $71,985,985.47. 


Gold  deposits 

Gold  re-deposits 

$59,625,678  08 

Silver  deposits.... 

Silver  re-deposits 

$83,630,154  31 

Total  gold  and  silver 

SUMMARY  OF  OPERATIONS  OF  MINTS  AND  ASSAY  OFFICES. 

The  precious  metals  received  at  the  mints  and  assay  office® 
during  the  fiscal  year  1891  were  valued  at  $143,255,832. 

The  value  of  the  precious  metals  deposited  only  partially 
represents  the  operations  necessary  for  their  metallurgical 
and  mechanical  treatment. 

The  operations  of  the  melting  and  refining  departments  of 
the  coinage  mints  and  of  the  assay  office  at  New  York,  so  far 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


135. 


as  the  value  of  the  metals  treated  is  concerned,  is  exhibited  in. 
the  following  table  : 


Bullion  Operations  of  the  Melting  Department,  1891. 


Metals. 

Standard 

ounces. 

Coining  value. 

Gold 

4,052,727 

$75,399,570 

88,681,500 

Silver 

76,210,666 

Total 

80,263,393 

$164,081,070' 

The  operations  of  the  coining  branches  of  the  mints  in  the 
manufacture  of  finished  coins  from  ingots  prepared  by  the 
melting  departments  were,  in  value  of  the  metals  operated  on, 
as  follows  : 


Bullion  Operations  of  the  Coining  Department,  1891. 


Metals. 

Standard 

ounoes. 

Coining  value. 

Gold 

2,587,321 

67,924,776 

$48,136,204 

79,039,738 

Silver 

Total 

70,512,097 

$127,175,942 

The  work  of  the  minor  assay  offices,  which  consisted  in  the 
receipt  and  assaying  of  deposits  and  the  manufacture  of  un- 
parted bars  of  gold  and  silver,  was  as  follows  : 


Operations  of  Minor  Assay  Offices,  1891. 


Metals. 

Standard 

ounces. 

Coining  value. 

Gold 

188,791 

63,109 

$3,512,390 

73,435 

Silver 

Total 

251,900 

$3,585,825 

The  following  is  a summary  of  the  three  preceding  tables, 
intended  to  exhibit,  as  nearly  as  possible,  the  value  of  the 


136 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


precious  metals  treated  in  the  operations  of  the  mints  and 
assay  offices  during  the  fiscal  year  1891 : 


Bullion  Operated  upon  in  the  Melting  and  Coining  Depart- 
ments OF  ALL  THE  MlNTS  AND  ASSAY  OFFICES,  1891. 


,,  A . Standard 

Metals. 

ounces. 

Coining  value. 

Gold ! 6,640,048 

Silver 144,135,442 

Total j 150,775,490 

$123,535,774 

167,721,238 

$291,257,012 

In  quantity  the  precious  metals  operated  upon  in  the  differ- 
ent departments  of  the  mints  and  assay  offices  during  the  fiscal 
year  1891  exceeded  228  tons  of  gold  and  4,942  tons  of  silver. 

The  value  of  the  precious  metals  wasted  in  the  metallurgical 
and  mechanical  operations  was  $12,287.05. 

In  addition  to  operative  wastage,  a loss  of  $15,850.41  was 
incurred  from  the  sale  of  sweeps,  equivalent  to  the  difference 
between  the  value  of  the  precious  metals  contained  in  sweeps 
recovered  and  the  amount  realized  from  the  sale  of  sweeps  too 
base  to  be  treated  advantageously  in  Government  refineries. 

There  was  a similar  loss  of  $84.16  by  the  sale  of  leady 
melts,  and  a wastage  of  minor  coinage  metal  of  the  value  of 
$1,188.78. 

These  wastages  and  losses  aggregated  $29,410.40. 

Against  these  losses  there  were  gains  arising  from  the 
operations  on  bullion  as  follows : 


Character. 

Amount. 

Surplus  Kill  linn  returned  I»y  operative  officers. 1 

$39,393  14 
8,155  20 

4,752  33 

Preninns  metals  returned  in  grains  and  sweepings 

Gain  on  bullion  shipped  from  the  minor  assay  offices  to  the  mint  for 
coinage 

Total  gains 

$52,300  67 

THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


137 


Deducting  the  value  of  the  total  operative  wastage  and  loss 
on  sale  of  sweeps  from  the  value  of  the  incidental  gains  of 
bullion,  there  was  a net  gain  in  the  operations  of  the  mints 
during  the  year  of  $2:4,890.27. 

PROFIT  ON  SILVER  COINAGE. 

The  seigniorage  on  the  coinage  of  silver  dollars  during  the 
fiscal  year  aggregated  $6,221,333.42,  and  on  subsidiary  silver 
coinage  $92,434.48,  a total  of  $6,313,767.90. 

From  the  gross  seigniorage  there  was  paid  for  the  trans- 
portation of  silver  coins  the  sum  of  $52,904.16,  and  for 
reimbursement  of  wastage  and  loss  on  sale  of  sweeps  $6,530,90, 
a total  of  $59,435.06,  leaving  as  the  net  seigniorage  for  the 
year  the  sum  of  $6,254,332.84. 

The  total  amount  of  seigniorage  covered  into  the  Treasury 
during  the  fiscal  year  aggregated  $6,404,677,  leaving  on  hand 
in  the  coinage  mints  at  the  close  of  the  year  the  sum  of 
$152,315.35. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  pieces  aud  nominal 
value  of  the  minor  coins  struck  at  the  Mint  at  Philadelphia 
during  the  fiscal  year  1891. 

O •/ 


Minor  Coinage,  1891. 


Denominations. 

Pieces. 

Value. 

Five-cent  nickel 

13.338.275 

50.002.275 

§666,913  75 
500,022  75 

’One  oent  bronze 

Total' 

63,340,550 

1,166,936  50 

The  amount  and  cost  of  blanks  purcnased  for  minor  coinage 
during  the  year  was  as  follows : 


Blanks  purchased. 

Pounds 

avoirdupois. 

Cost 

Onecent,  bronze  blanks 

339,500 

143,000 

§67,696  30 
46,444  20 

Five  cent  nickel  blanks 

Total 

482,500 

§114,140  50 

138 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


EARNINGS  AND  EXPENSES  OF  THE  MINTS  AND  ASSAY  OFFICES. 


The  total  earnings  of  the  mints  and  assay  offices  during 
the  last  fiscal  year  aggregated  $7,650,529.62,  of  which 
$6,221,333.42  arose  from  seigniorage  on  the  coinage  of  silver 
dollars,  $92,434.48  from  seigniorage  on  subsidiary  silver  coins, 
and  $1,050,144.31  from  seigniorage  on  minor  coinage. 

The  remainder  of  the  earnings  were  derived  from  charges 
collected  from  deposits,  profits  on  the  sale  of  medals  and  proof 
coins,  from  surplus  bullion  returned  by  the  operative  officers 
and  recovered  from  the  deposit  melting  room,  and  from  the 
sale  of  old  material  and  by-products. 

The  total  expenditures  and  losses  of  all  kinds,  including 
the  entire  expenses  for  the  support  of  the  mints  and  assay 
offices  and  the  acid  refineries,  the  wastage  of  the  operative 
departments  and  losses  on  the  sale  of  sweeps,  the  expenses  of 
distributing  silver  dollars,  subsidiary  silver,  and  minor  coins, 
aggregated  $1,661,139.83,  leaving  a net  profit  of  earnings 
over  expenditures  for  the  fiscal  year  of  $5,989,389.79. 

The  movement  of  gold  from  the  United  States  during  the 
last  fiscal  year  may  be  summed  as  follows : 


Gold  Exports,  1891. 


Items. 


Amount. 


United  States  bars 

Other  domestic  bullion 

Domestic  coin 

Gold  contained  in  copper  matte. 

Domestic  ores 

Total  domestic 

Foreign  bullion  re-exported 

Foreign  coin  re-exported 

Foreign  ores  re-exported 

Total  foreign 

Total  gold  exports 


$11,770 

1,411,333 


$15,118,702 

2,115,949 

67,704,900 

65,475 

34,542 


$85,039,568 


1,423,312 


$86,462,880 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


139 


From  the  above  tables  it  will  be  seen  that  there  was  a net 
loss  of  gold  to  the  United  States,  by  excess  of  exports  over 
imports,  of  $67,946,768. 

Gold  Imports,  1891. 

Items. 

Amount. 

Foreign  bullion 

82,105,034* 

13,303,38?' 

214,803 

68,742 

Foreign  ores 

Foreign  gold  in  silver  lead  ores 

Total  foreign 

$15,691,966 

2,824,146 

United  States  coin 

Total  imports 

$18,516,112 

The  exports  of  domestic  gold  bullion  aggregated  $17,234,651, 
of  which  $15,118,702  were  United  States  bars  and  $2,115,949 
private  bars. 

The  exports  of  silver  during  the  last  fiscal  year  may  be 
recapitulated  as  follows : 

Exports  of  Silver,  1891. 


Items. 


Amount. 


Domestic  bars,  (commercial  value) 

Silver  contained  in  copper  matte 

United  States  subsidiary  silver  coin 

Total  domestic 

Foreign  silver  coin  re-exported 

Silver  in  foreign  ores  re-exported.., 
Foreign  silver  bullion  re-exported... 

Total  foreign 

Total  silver  exports 


$13,797,391 


236,323 


140 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


The  imports  of  silver  into  the  United  States  during  the 


fiscal  year  may  be  summed  up  as  follows  : 
Imports  of  Silver,  1891. 

Items. 

Amount. 

Foreign  bullion  (commercial  value) 

$6,321,977 

8,252,036 

11,379,663 

Silver  in  foreign  ores  (oommereial  value) 

Foreign  silver  coin 

Total  forei  cm 

$25,953,676 

325,240 

United  States  silver  coin 

Total  silver  imports 

$26,278,916 

Domestic  silver  bars  of  the  value  of  $13,797,391  were 
exported  from  the  United  States  during  the  fiscal  year,  of 
which  $12,722,398  were  consigned  to  England. 

In  addition  to  exports  of  domestic  silver  bullion,  copper 
matte  was  exported  from  the  port  of  Baltimore  to  England, 
for  reduction,  containing  silver  of  the  commercial  value  of 
$838,388. 

From  the  above  table  it  will  be  seen  that  there  was  a net 
gain  of  silver  to  the  United  States  during  the  year,  by  excess 
of  imports  over  exports,  of  the  value  of  $2,745,365. 

Gold  and  Silver  Bullion  in  Mints  and  Assay  Offices,  Nov.  1, 

1891. 


Metals. 

Cost  value. 

Gold 

$74,753,259 

48,482,492 

Total 

$123,235,751 

The  market  value  of  the  silver  bullion  reported  by  the  Mer- 
cantile Safe  Deposit  Company  to  the  Stock  Exchange  as 
in  its  vaults  at  the  close  of  business  October  31,  1891,  was 
$3,982,249. 

Adding  the  visible  stock  of  bullion — that  is,  gold  and  silver 
bullion  in  the  mints  and  silver  bullion  in  the  vaults  of  the 
Mercantile  Safe  Deposit  Company — to  the  stock  of  coin,  the 
total  metallic  stock  on  November  1,  1891,  was  approximately 
as  follows : 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT 


141 


Metallic  Stock,  November  1,  1891. 


Coin  and  bullion. 

Amount. 

Gold 

$671,139,531 

539,241,624 

$1,210,381,155 

Silver  (bullion  in  mints  and  Mercantile  Safe  Deposit  Company) 

Total 

Product  of  Mines  of  the  United  States,  1890. 


Metals. 

Fine  ounces. 

Commercial 

value. 

Coining 

value. 

Gold 

1,588,880 

$32,845,000 

57,225,000 

$32,845,000 

70,464,645 

Silver 

54,500,000 

Total 

90,070,000 

$103,309,645 

Product  of  Gold  and  Silver  in  the  World,  Calendar  Years 

1873-1890. 


Calendar  years. 

Gold. 

Fine  ounces 
(troy). 

Silver. 

Commercial 

value. 

Coining 

value. 

1873 

$96,200,000 

63,267,000 

$82,120,000 

$81,700,000 

1874 

90,750,000 

55,300,000 

70,673,000 

71,500,000 

1875 

97,500,000 

62,262,000 

77,578,000 

80,500,000 

1876 

103,700,000 

67,753,000 

78,322,000 

87,600,000 

1877 

114,000,000 

62,648,000 

75,240,000 

81,000,000 

1878 

119,000,000 

73,476,000 

84,644,000 

95,000,000 

1879 

109,000,000 

74.250,000 

83,383,000 

96,000  000 

1880 

106,500,000 

74,791,000 

85,636,000 

96,700,000 

1881 

103,000,000 

78  890,000 

89,777,000 

102,000,000 

1882 

102,000,000 

86,470,000 

98,230,000 

111,800,000 

1883 

95,400,000 

89,177,000 

98,986,000 

115,300,000 

1884 

101,700,000 

81,597,000 

90,817,000 

105,500,000 

1885 

108,400,000 

91,652,000 

97,564,000 

118,500,000 

1886 

106,000,000 

93,276,000 

92.772,000 

120,600,000 

1887 

105,775,000 

96,124,000 

94,031,000 

124,281,000 

1888  

110,197,000 

108,827,000 

102,185,000 

140,706,000 

1889 

122,438,500 

123,500,000 

115,487,000 

159,678,000 

1890 

116,009,000 

128,914,000 

134,886,000 

166,677,000 

ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


World’s  Coinage. 


Calendar  years. 

Gold. 

Silver. 

1883 

$134,828,855 

168,901,519 

149,009,772 

$134,922,344 

133,441,595 

149,105,099 

1889 

0 

It  should  be  remembered  that  the  coinage  executed  does 
not  represent  the  amount  of  new  gold  and  silver,  of  current 
production,  made  into  coins  during  the  year,  for  the  reason 
that  the  coinages  reported  include  the  value  of  domestic  and 
foreign  coins  melted  for  recoinage  as  well  as  old  material,  plate, 
etc,  used  in  coinage. 

The  relative  cost  of  the  coinage  executed  at  the  four  coinage 
mints  is  exhibited  in  the  following  table : 


Cost  of  Coinage  at  each  Mint,  1891. 


Location  of  mint. 

Pieces 

coined. 

Pieces 
coined,  ex- 
clusive of 
minor  coins. 

Expenses 
for  salaries, 
wages,  and 
incidentals. 

Cost  per 
piece,  inclu- 
ding minor 
coinage. 

Cost  per 
piece,  exclu- 
sive  of  mi- 
nor coinage. 

Philadelphia. 

94,749,632 

31,409,082 

$552,099.07 

$0.00582+ 

$0.0175+ 

San  Francisco 

12,512,565 

12,542,565 

299,585.31 



.0239— 

New  Orleans 

9,870,913 

9,870,913 

201,163.76 

.0203+ 

Carson 

2,384,767 

2,384.767 

134,667.25 



.0564+ 

Total  and  average 

119,547,877 

56,207,327 

1,187,515.39 

0.00992+ 

.0211  + 

The  following  table  exhibits  the  quantity  and  cost  of  the 
silver  purchased  under  the  Act  of  Febrnary  28,  1878,  during 
the  first  two  months  of  the  fiscal  year  at  each  of  the  coinage 
mints : 


Deliveries  on  Purchases  of  Silver  under  Act  of  February  28, 
1878,  durlng  Fiscal  Year  1891. 


Mints. 

Standard  ounces. 

Cost. 

Philnrlolphifl 

. 

1,768,110.47 

426,469.28 

688,821.09 

224,798.63 

$1,722,648  66 
424,062  30 
681,576  31 
221,139  19 

San  Francisco 

New  Orleans 

Carson 

Total 

3,108,199.47 

$3,049,426  46 

THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


143 


Adding  to  this  total  the  amount  of  silver  on  hand  July  1, 
4,415,244.66  standard  ounces,  costing  $4,027,833.80,  makes 
the  total  amount  of  silver  available  for  the  coinage  of  silver 
dollars  during  the  year,  purchased  under  the  Act  of  F ebruary  28, 
1878,  7,523,444.13  standard  ounces,  costing  $7,077,260.26. 


Bullion  Delivered  on  Silver  Purchases,  Act  of  February  28 

1878. 


Mode  of  acquisition. 

1 Standard  ounces. 

Cost. 

Purchased  by  the  Treasury  Department  (lots  of  over 
10  (HiO  on  n nos) 

2,431,827.18 

663,512.57 

12,859.72 

§2,382,267  28 
655,139  34 
12,019  84 

Purchased  at  mints  (lots  of  less  than  10,000  ounces) 

Partings,  bar  charges,  and  fractions 

Total  delivered  on  purchases  

.Balance  .Tilly  1,  1890 

3,108,199.47 

4,415,244.66 

§3,049,426  46 
4,027,833  80 

Available  for  coinage  of  silver  dollars  during 
fiscal  year  1891 

7,523,444.13 

7,077,260  26 

The  following  table  exhibits  the  quantity  and  cost  of  the 
silver  purchased  under  the  Act  of  July  14,  1890,  during  the 
fiscal  year,  at  each  of  the  coinage  mints  : 


Deliveries  on  Purchase  of  Silver  under  Act  of  July  14,  1890, 
Fiscal  Year  1891. 


Mints. 

Standard  ounces. 

Cost. 

Philadelphia 

40,946,666.17 

§38,457,1*2  83 

San  Francisco ! 

7,938,845.65 

7,520,895  10 

New  Orleans ! 

3,549,085.13 

3,350,002  58 

•Carson 

1,335,528.66 

1,219,457  93 

Total 

1 

53,770,125  61 

§50,577,498  44 

The  following  table  is  a recapitulation  of  the  purchases,  and 
mode  of  acquisition,  under  the  act  of  July  14,  1890 : 


144 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Bullion  Delivered  on  Silver  Purchases,  Act  of  July  14,  1890. 


Mode  of  acquisition. 

Standard  ounces. 

Cost. 

Purchased  by  the  Treasury  Department  (lots  of 
over  10,000  ounces) 

47,710,254.77 

$44,861,371  32 

Purchased  at  mints  (lots  of  less  than  10,000  ounces) 

5,962,742.75 

5,625,039  30 

Partings,  bar  charges,  and  fractions  (including  1.88 
standard  ounces,  costing  $1.74,  iransferred  from 
1878  bullion) 

97,128.09 

91,087  82 

Total 

'53,770,125.61 

$50,577,498  44 

CIRCULATION  OF  SILVER  DOLLARS. 

The  following  comparative  statement  exhibits  the  total  num- 
ber of  silver  dollars  coined,  the  number  held  by  the  Treasury 
for  the  redemption  of  certificates,  the  number  held  in  excess 
of  outstanding  certificates,  and  the  number  in  circulation,  on 
November  1,  of  each  of  the  last  six  years  : 


Coinage,  Ownership,  and  Circulation  of  Silver  Dollars. 


Date. 


Nov.  1,1886, 
Nov.  1, 1887. 
Nov.  1,1888. 
Nov.  1,1889. 
Nov.  1,1890. 
Nov.  1, 1891. 


In  the  Treasury. 

Total  coinage. 

Held  for  pay- 
ment of  certifi- 
cates outstand- 
ing. 

Held  in  excess 
of  certificates 
outstanding. 

In  circulation.. 

244,433,386 

$100,306,800 

$82,624,431 

$61,502,155 

277,110,157 

160,713,957 

53,461,575 

62,934,625 

309,750,890 

229,783,152 

20,196,288 

59,771,450 

343,638,001 

277,319,944 

6,219,577 

60,098,480 

380,988,466 

308,206,177 

7,072,725 

'65,709,564 

409,475,368 

321,142,642 

26,197,265 

62,135,461 

The  appropriations  made  for  the  support  of  the  mints  and 
assay  offices  for  the  fiscal  year  to  end  June  30,  1892,  are  as 
follows  : 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT, 


145 


Appropriations  for  Mints  and  Assay  Offices,  1892. 


Institutions. 

Salaries. 

Wages  of 
workmen. 

Contingent 

expenses. 

Total. 

Mints. 

Philadelphia 

$41,550  00 

$293,000  00 

$80,000  00 

$414,550  00 

San  Francisco 

41,100  00 

170,000  00 

40,000  00 

251,100  00 

Carson 

29,550  00 

60,000  00 

25,000  00 

114,550  00 

New  Orleans 

31,950  00 

74,000  00 

35,000  00 

140,950  00 

Assay  Offices. 

New  York 

39,250  00 

30,000  00 

10,000  00 

79,250  00 

Denver 

10,950  00 

13,750  00 

6,000  00 

30,700  00 

Helena 

7,700  00 

12,700  00 

5,000  00 

25,400  00 

Boise  City 

3,200  00 

9,000  00 

12,200  00 

Charlotte 

2,750  00 

2,500  00  j 

5,250  00 

St.  Louis 

3,500  00 

2,400  00 

5,900  00 

Total 

$211,500  00 

$653,450  00 

$214,900  00 

$1,079,850  00 

GOLD  AND  SILVER  BARS  MANUFACTURED. 

In  addition  to  the  coinage  of  the  mints,  gold  and  silver 
bars  were  manufactured  during  the  fiscal  year  of  the  value 


of  $39,603,199.42,  as  follows : 

Bars  Manufactured,  1891. 

Description. 

I Value. 

Gold 

$31,165,541  77 
8,437,657  65- 

Total 

$39,603,199  42 

146 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Table  exhibiting  approximately  the  stock  of  money  in  the  prin- 
cipal countries  of  the  world  : 


Countries. 


United  States 

United  Kingdom... 

France  

Germany 

Belgium 

Italy 

Switzerland 

■Greece 

Spain 

Portugal 

Austria-Hungary... 

Netherlands 

Scandinavian  Un’n 

Russia 

Turkey 

Australia 

Egypt 

Mexico 

Central  America.. 

South  America 

Japan 

Pndia 

China 

|The  Straits 

Canada 

Cuba,  Hayti,  etc.... 


Popula- 

tion. 


64.000. 000 

38.165.000 

38.250.000 

48.000. 000 
6,100,000 

31.000. 000 

3.000. 000 
2,200,000 

18,000,000 

5.000. 000 

40.000. 000 

4.500.000 

8.600.000 

113.000. 000 

33.000. 000 

4.000. 000 

7.000. 000 

11.600.000 

3.000. 000 

35.000. 000 

40.000. 000 

255.000. 000 

400.000. 000 


Standard. 


Bi-metallic.. 

Gold 

JBi-met  allic 

Gold 

{Bi-metallic 


Stock  of  Gold 


Gold 

Silver 

{Bi-metallic 

Gold 

Silver 

Gold 


Bi-metallic.. 


4,500,000 

2,000.000 


Gold 

{Bi-metallic 


$708,000,000 

550.000. 000 

900.000. 000 

500.000. 000 

65.000. 000 

140.000. 000 

15.000. 000 

2,000,000 

100.000. 000 

40.000. 000 

40.000. 000 

25.000. 000 

32.000. 000 

190.000. 000 

50.000. 000 

100.000. 000 

100,000,000 

5,000,000 


45.000. 000 

90.000. 000 


16,000,000 

20,000,000 


Stock  of  Silver. 


Full  Legal 
Tender. 


$391,566,000 


650.000. 000 

102.000. 000 

48.400.000 

25.800.000 

11.400.000 

1,800,000 

90,000,000 


90,000,000 

61,800,000 


22,000,000 


50.000. 000 

500,000 

25.000. 000 

50.000. 000 

900.000. 000 

700.000. 000 

100.000. 000 


Limited 

Tender. 


$77,696,000 

100,000,000 

50.000. 000 

102,000,000 

6,600,000 

34,200,000 

3.600.000 

2.200.000 

35.000. 000 

10.000. 000 


3,200,000 

10,000,000 

38.000. 000 

45.000. 000 

7,000,000 

15.000. 000 


5,000,000 


Total. 


1,200,000 


800,000 


$3,733,000  000  $3, 321, 466, 000 j $545, 296, 000  $3,866,762,000 


$469,262,000 

100,000,000 

700.000. 000 

204.000. 000 

55.000. 000 

60.000. 000 

15.000. 000 

4.000. 000 

125.000. 000 

19.000. 000 

90.000. 000 

65.000. 000 

10.000. 000 

60,000,000 

45.000. 000 

7.000. 000 

15.000. 000 

50.000. 000 

500,000 

25.000. 000 

50.000. 000 

900.000. 000 

700.000. 000 

100.000. 000 

5.000. 000 

2.000. 000 


* Except  Brazil,  which  is  gold, 
f Coinage  of  full  legal  tender  silver  suspended. 

{ The  stock  of  silver  in  India,  China  and  the  Straits  settlements  is  not  susceptible  of  even 
approximate  determination.  The  figures  presented  in  the  table  are  a mere  guess  based  upon 
the  movement  of  silver  to  these  countries  for  a series  of  years  and  agree  substantially  with  the 
guess  of  the  best  European  statisticians. 


Values  of  Foreign  Coins,  January  1,  1892, 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


14' 


m g 


© es  © 

Oi  ® .^5 

||1, 


= a 

- Is 

SCSI'S 

a •£  « 

S'S  g"CS 

rriii 


§ 

.Is 

s’3-! 

I?S 
Is? 
■§*• 1 
ill 


0*2 


o 
c 

if 1 

Ills 

SgE5 

cJ  — «§ 

~fi,sr 


1 g||  * 
Sf  I"  11 

© ^3  'ScJ 


■g 

d|  i 
.2  ^ 
§ - fi 
15 
8i  it- 


is 

g 


iy>2  „• 

>“  a|  Ij  || 

<o  ~ o’'  ji 

3 ~g  5 ~ = a © 

Ilfilli  si 


'jslJT©.©.^ 
Tv  _ 
s J « = "tc 


© sctt©  ^ © jj- © 


£ J -©  o -o  * h ® 5 -s  ^ •§  u'S 
*§•■§  = = 5 S-g  HcdScg^s 


2222«2!T22222  £22 

<!<§3S  iTSSSSsiSS 


Value  in 
terms  of 
U.  S.  gold 
dollar. 

8 S £§S  g S S g ®2.SS5^SS 

Monetary  unit. 

Peso 

Florin 

Franc 

Boliviano 

Milreis 

Dollar 

Peso 

Peso 

T . 1 Shanghai 

" j Haikwan  Customs 

Peso 

Peso 

Crown 

Sucre 

Pound  (100  piastres) 

Mark 

Franc 

Mark 

Pound  sterling 

Drachma 

Gourde 

Rupee 

Lira 

Standard. 

Gold  and  Silver... 

Silver 

Gold  and  Silver... 

Silver 

Gold 

Gold 

Silver 

Gold  and  Silver... 

Silver 

Silver 

Gold  and  Silver... 

Gold 

Silver. 

Gold 

Gold 

Gold  and  Silver... 

Gold 

Gold 

Gold  and  Silver... 
Gold  and  Silver... 

Silver 

Gold  and  Silver... 

<3  ^2 

1 :5ll 


If  illL 

s j \&&*  °- 

■Hsilll 
« Sill’S 


: • : : 
: : : : 


: i i 
: : \ 


i : : 


: : 

i I 


! ! ! n 


: 

: : 


j-s  a S j : 

*mij 

; e g >^3 

iwiae 


i 

\u  \ \ \ \ \ 

I !■§  j ! i j j 

j IS  i i ! I 
IIlllW 

fefeOOOSww 


Values  of  Foreign  Coins,  January  1,  1892 — Continued. 

Value  in 

COUNTRY.  Standard.  Monetary  unit.  u?s?gold  Coins. 


148 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


4*  £3 


a > 
'o  -3 


03; 


dfc  O 


- . t>  ^ C 
§ O X (N 

23  ~ 

S-.&  a £ <n 
£h  'C  ‘fl  j2  a 

C5  rrt  o — > a 

^3  ga  O CO 

Orfc 


A 

a 

s 

•2  a o3 
£ *2 

151 


m . < 

<v  tn  ' 

> 


•r^  eferO 

a'®'-'  a 


£ a 


"3  „ .. 

a „•£  \s» 
33  ic 

owS*  ~ 


r,  03 


3- a<*> 


a rt  (M  r-1  r-  .3 


a a a a 
2 fto  o o 

o ooo 


®aa 

0 02 
0^0 


33  ° °33 
ccOOtc 


IC  CO 
<M  ~ 
»® 
® 1C 
c - 

r-  ® 

® - 
1C  o 


aa 

oo 

0;D 


i-ic  co '=l^oq_i-H_  c<i_co^eo_oo,  co_eo  < 

oTt jT®  ic  © — cT oo  r-T ic" cT to  oT of  •d i 

© © l~  0'ON«30I>10tHC'ItH®0' 


a s 
-3.5 

Occ 


js  — 

,®  o o 
^ Qp 


X 

p « 

43  toP 


PPQoqS  P PoPSPW 


03  P 

* ® 2 'ra  .a  o 


2 2^ 
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0 Om 


a 
a 

cO  ^ 

a a’ a S-d 


•TD  rd  rd  ^ ^ 

^ "3  "3  ^ "3  ^5  O OO-^ 

OOOcbO  33  00033033 


•§42 

P33 

co  a 


03  03  O 3 o a 
fcJZiftPP  Ph 


- Q3  ®a  © n 

■s’S^JHJS 

c»c»ccHP> 


-SiSst 

zn  ~ *** 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


149 


Highest  and  lowest  prices  of  Gold  in  New  York. 
Each  month  in  1862-1878. 


Month. 

1862. 

1863. 

1864. 

1865. 

1866. 

1867. 

IT. 

L. 

H. 

L. 

IT. 

L. 

IT. 

L. 

IT. 

L. 

H. 

L. 

January 

10  ■% 

101  % 

160% 

133% 

159  % 

151  % 

2343% 

197  % 

144% 

136% 

137% 

132% 

February.... 

104% 

102% 

172% 

152% 

161 

157% 

216% 

196% 

140% 

135% 

11403% 

135% 

March 

10  2% 

101% 

|in% 

139 

169% 

159 

201 

148% 

136% 

124%  140% 

133% 

April 

102% 

101% 

157% 

145% 

184% 

166% 

154% 

143% 

129% 

125%|  141% 

132% 

May 

104% 

102% 

154% 

143% 

190 

168 

145% 

128% 

141% 

125% 

138% 

135 

June 

109  % 

103% 

148% 

140% 

250 

193 

147% 

135% 

167% 

137% 

138% 

136% 

July 

120  % 

108% 

145 

123% 

285 

222 

146% 

138% 

155% 

147 

140% 

138 

August 

116% 

112% 

129% 

122% 

261% 

231% 

145% 

140% 

152% 

146% 

142% 

139% 

September .. 

124 

116% 

143% 

126%  254% 

191 

145 

142% 

147% 

143%  146% 

141 

October 

136% 

122 

153% 

140% 

227% 

189 

149 

144% 

154% 

145% 

145% 

140%. 

November... 

133% 

129 

154 

143 

260 

210 

148% 

145% 

148% 

137% 

141% 

138% 

December.... 

134 

128% 

152% 

148% 

243 

212% 

148% 

144% 

141% 

iol% 

137% 

133 

Year 

134 

101% 

172% 

122% 

285 

151% 

234% 

128% 

167% 

125% 

146% 

CO 

QO\ 

Month. 

1868. 

1869. 

18' 

70. 

1871. 

1872. 

1873. 

II 

L. 

H. 

L. 

H. 

L. 

II. 

L. 

II. 

L. 

1 H. 

L. 

January 

142% 

133%: 

136% 

134% 

123% 

119% 

111% 

no% 

no  % 

108  % 

1114% 

ni% 

February.... 

144 

139% 

136% 

130% 

[ 121% 

11  % 

112% 

110% 

111 

109% 

115% 

112% 

March 

141% 

137% 

132% 

1303%  116% 

110% 

111% 

110% 

110% 

109% 

118% 

114% 

April 

140% 

147%, 

13451 

131%  115% 

111% 

111% 

110% 

113% 

109% 

H9% 

116% 

May 

140% 

139% 

[144% 

134% 

115% 

113% 

112% 

111 

114% 

112% 

118% 

116% 

June 

141% 

139% 

139% 

136% 

114% 

no% 

113% 

111% 

114% 

113 

118% 

115 

July 

145% 

143% 

137% 

134%  122% 

1H% 

113% 

111% 

115% 

113% 

116% 

115 

August 

150 

143% 

136% 

1313% 

122 

114% 

113% 

111% 

115% 

112% 

116% 

114% 

September... 

145% 

141% 

162% 

129%;  116% 

112% 

115% 

112% 

H5% 

112% 

H6% 

110% 

October 

140% 

133% 

132 

128%, 

113% 

Hl% 

115 

111% 

115% 

112% 

111% 

107% 

November... 

137 

132 

128% 

121%i  1 13% 

no 

112% 

110% 

114% 

1H% 

110% 

106% 

December... 

136% 

1343% 

124 

119% 

1H% 

110% 

110% 

108% 

113% 

111% 

112% 

108% 

Year 

150 

132 

162% 

119% 

123% 

no 

115% 

108% 

115% 

108% 

119 

106% 

Month. 

1874. 

1875. 

1876. 

1877. 

1878. 

January.  

IT 

L. 

H. 

L. 

IT. 

L. 

H. 

L. 

IT. 

L. 

112% 

110% 

113% 

111% 

113% 

112  % 

107% 

105  % 

102% 

101% 

Febr  ary 

113 

111% 

H5% 

113% 

H4% 

112% 

106% 

104% 

102% 

101% 

March 

H3% 

111% 

117 

114% 

115 

113% 

1053% 

104% 

1102 

100% 

April 

114% 

1113% 

415% 

114 

113% 

112% 

107% 

104% 

401% 

100% 

May.. .. 

113% 

in%! 

1 16% 

115 

113% 

112% 

1073% 

106% 

101% 

100% 

June 

112% 

110% 

117% 

116% 

113 

111% 

1063% 

104% 

101 

100% 

July 

110% 

109 

11"% 

111% 

1123% 

Ul% 

106% 

105% 

100% 

1003J 

August 

110% 

109% 

H4% 

112%! 

112% 

109%: 

105% 

103% 

400% 

100% 

September.... 

110% 

109% 

117% 

113%; 

1103% 

109% 

104 

102%; 

100% 

100% 

October 

November 

110% 

112% 

109% 

no 

117% 

116% 

U4% 

114%; 

113% 

110% 

108%; 

108%l 

103% 

103% 

102% 

102% 

1003% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

December 

112% 

110% 

.115% 

H2% 

109 

107 

103% 

102% 

100% 

100  8 

Year 

114% 

109 

H7% 

111%| 

115 

107 

107% 

102% 

102% 

100 

Note.— Specie  payment  resumed  January  1,  1879,  after  a suspension  of  nearly  18  years 


150 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Table  showing  the  Total  Paper  and  Specie  Circulation  in  each  of  the^ 
Principal  Countries  of  the  World,  and  the  Amount  of  specie  in  Bank 
and  .National  Treasuries,  and  the  Amount  of  Actual  Circulation. 

(Officially  Reported.) 


Countries. 

Population. 

Total  metallic 
and  paper 
circulation. 

Amount  of 
specie  in  na- 
tional treasu- 
ries and  banks 

Active 

circulation. 

Per  capita 
of  active 
circulation 

United  States 

50,155,783 

$1,745,926,755 

$534,033,074 

$1,211,893,681 

$24  16 

ftreat  Britain  and  Ire- 
land   

35,246,562 

876,318,139 

154,182,691 

722,135,448 

20  49 

Dominion  of  Canada, 
including  Manitoba 
and  Newfoundland... 

4,506,563 

59  596,084 

9,111,148 

50,484,936 

11  22 

British  India 

252,541,210 

1,099,583,126 

78,358,000 

1,021,025,126 

4 05 

Ceylon 

2,758,166 

2,335,300 

1,273,800 

1,061,500 

33 

Australia,  Tasmania, 
and  New  Zealand... 

2,798,898 

96,010,722 

48,737,837 

47,272,885 

16  90 

Cape  oi  Good  Hope.... 

780,757 

38,078,000 

8,092,000 

29,986,000 

38  40' 

Fiance 

37,3.1,186 

1,990,961,912 

402,939,754 

1,588,022,158 

42  55 

Algiers. 

2,867,6.6 

27,567,000 

5,564,476 

22,002,524 

7 67 

Guadeloupe 

185,460 

1,627,750 

180,326,515 

564,935 

1,062.815 

5 73. 

Belgium 

Switzerland 

5,536, 154 

17,991,450 

168,335,065 

30  40 

2,846,102 

53,180,731 

11,609.618 

41,571,113 

464,191,163 

14  60 

Italy 

28,452,639 

533,548,521 

69,357,358 

16  31 

Greece 

1,979,423 

29,143,000 

1,800,0  0 
27,223,959 

27,343,000 

13  81 

Spain.... 

16,625,860 

270,812,440 

243,588,481 

14  65 

Cuba 

1,394,516 

73,043,543 

14,181,243 

58,862,300 

42  21 

Luzon  

4,450,191 

4,198,000 

3,765,677 

432,323 

10- 

Portugal,  including 

Azores  and  Madeira 

4,550,699 

46,367,680 

11,718,874 

34,648,806 

7 61 

Germany 

45,234,061 

825,473,023 

181,706,674 

643,766,349 

14  23 

Austria-Hungary 

Sweden  and  Norway... 

35,839,128 

431,646,314 

98,131,401 

12,740,975 

333,514,913 

9 31 

6,479,168 

43,058,  43 

30,317,468 

4 68 

Danish  Kingdom 

2,096,400 

39,228,000 

14,070,000 

25,158,000 

108,733,837 

12  00' 

Netherlands 

4,061,580 

163,847,949 

55,114,112 

26  77 

Russia 

98,323,000 

646,431,794 

124,008,153 

14,520,000 

522,423,641 

5 31 

Turkey 

24,987,000 

83,315,976 

68,795,976 

2 75 

Roumania 

5,376,000 

27,372,383 

3,995,298 

23,377,085 

4 35 

Mexico 

9,557,279 

52,018,529 

1,763,008 

50,285,521 

5 26 

Central  America 

2,891,600 

4,701,861 



4,701,861 

1 62 

Argentine  Republic.... 
Colombia 

2,540,000 

71,371,850 

14,196,40 1 

57,175,389 

22  51 

3,000,000 

5,097,830 

200,000 

4,897,830 

1 63 

Brazil 

Peru 

11,108,291 

3,050,000 

139,871  255 
14,980,820 

1,882,018 

139,871,255 

13,098,802 

12  59 
4 29 

Venezuela 

2,675,245 

2,682,700 



2,682,700 

1 00 

Chili 

2,420,500 

32,555,341 

2,398,000 

30,157,341 

12  45 

Bolivia 

2,325,000 

6,908,533 

443,597 

6,464,936 

2 78 

Japan 

438,245 

11,587,000 

4,601,000 

6,986,000 

15  94 

572,000 

36,700,110 

4,  <80,000 
248,744,805 

28,486,973 

4.780,000 

220,257,832 

8 35 
6 00' 

Hawaiian  Islands 

66,895 

1,834,900 

808,200 

1,026,700 

15  35 

9,991,964,524 

1,959,571,764 

8,032,392,760 

Stock  of  United  States  Coin,  July  1,  1889. 


Items. 

Gold. 

Silver. 

Total. 

Estimated  stock  of  coin,  July  1,  1888 

Coinage,  fiscal  year  1889  

Net  import  of  United  btates  coin  fiscal  year 
1889 

$595,349,837 

25,543,910 

$376,115  1R6 
34,515,546 

210,559 

$971,465,003 

60,059,465 

210,569 

Total 

$6-0,893,747 

$410,841,-81 

$1,031,735,028 

THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


151 


THE  GOLD  AND  SILVER  ERAS. 

The  report  of  the  Director  of  the  Mint  for  1889  contains 
an  interesting  table  showing  the  production  of  the  precious 
metal  in  the  United  States  from  the  establishment  of  the 
Mint  in  1792  until  the  close  of  the  fiscal  year  of  1889.  The 
value  of  the  product  is  given  in  dollars,  and  shows  a gold 
product  for  the  period  included  of  $1,806,061,769,  and  a 
silver  product  of  $862,640,000,  the  total  gold  and  silver 
product  being  $2,668,706,769.  Of  this  there  remained  in 
the  country  July  1,  1889,  $1,100,612,434,  the  balance  having 
been  exported  or  used  in  the  arts. 

The  golden  era  began  with  Sutter’s  discovery  of  gold  in  his 
California  mill-race  in  1848,  the  total  production  of  gold  up 
to  that  time  having  been  but  $24,536,769,  or  less  than  a 
half  million  a year.  In  that  year  the  production  jumped  to 
$10,000,000,  and  in  the  following  year  to  $40,000,000,  or 
$15,500,000  more  than  the  total  product  of  the  entire  fifty- 
six  years  following  the  establishment  of  the  Mint.  The  in- 
crease in  the  gold  output  was  steady  from  this  time  until 
1853,  when  high  water  mark  was  reached  with  a product  of 
$65,000,000.  From  this  period  there  has  been  a gradual 
decline,  the  gold  product  of  the  last  ten  years  varying  be- 
tween $30,000,000  and  $38,000,000,  about  one-third  of  which 
was  produced  in  California. 

The  Director  of  the  Mint  estimates  the  amount  of  the  two 
metals  used  in  the  arts  in  this  country  at  about  $24,500,000, 
of  which  $16,500,000  is  gold  and  $8,000,000  silver,  leaving, 
on  the  basis  of  the  production  of  1888,  $67,870,000  for 
coinage  and  export.  Of  the  gold-producing  States  in  1888 
California  stood  first,  with  a production  of  $12,750,000; 
Montana  second,  with  $4,200,000 ; Colorado  third,  with 
$3,758,000;  Nevada  fourth,  with  $3,525,000;  Dakota  fifth, 
with  $2,600,000;  Idaho  sixth,  with  $2,460,000;  while 
Oregon  and  Alaska  come  next,  with  a production  of  $850,000 
and  $825,000  respectively.  In  silver  Colorado  leads  its 
product  for  1888,  having  a coinage  value  of  $19,000,000. 
Montana  came  second,  with  $17,000,000,  and  Utah  and 
Nevada  stood  next  in  order,  with  $7,0  0,000  each.  Arizona 
and  Idaho  produced  $3,000,000  each,  and  California  and  New 
Mexico  $1,400,000  and  $1,200  000  respectively.  It  is  worth 
noting  that  the  United  States  furnish  about  one-third  of  the 
gold  product  of  the  world  at  present  and  three-sevenths  of 
the  silver. 


152 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


^ntti'es74 


Sixtyrfive  Dollars.. 

X;  ;/(3 Sfev' 

ull'ed 
1 ver,  IfH  t 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


153 


U.  S.  Mint  Test  for  Gold  and  Silver. 


The  following  is  a test  for  determining  whether  coin  is  good  or  bad.  Use  the  liquids 
as  near  the  edge  of  suspected  coin  as  possible,  as  that  is  the  part  most  worn.  A drop  of 
the  preparation  will  have  no  effect  on  genuine  coin,  while  it  can  be  plainly  seen  on  the 
counterfeit.  Coins  should  be  scraped  slightly  before  using : 


The  above  tests  should  be  taken  in  conjunction  with  Diameter,  Thickness,  and  Weight 
the  tests  used  at  the  Mint. 


Terms  used  in  treating  of  Bulliont  Mints}  Coinage , and  Money. 

Assaying. — Chemical  analysis  of  metals  or  ores.  This  term  is  em- 
ployed in  reference  to  mints  and  coinage,  refers  particularly  to  the  process 
for  determining  the  component  parts  and  relative  proportions  of  a mixed 
alloy  of  gold  and  silver,  or  the  various  alloys  used  for  the  manufacture  of 
minor  coins. 

Refining. — Extract  of  base  from  precious  metals;  usually  performed 
by  the  aid  of  heat  and  oxidizing  fluxes. 

Parting. — The  separation  of  gold  and  silver  when  the  two  metals  com- 
pose an  alloy,  either  native  or  artificial,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  the 
metals,  respectively,  in  the  form  of  fine  bars.  This  is  accomplished,  first,  by 
dissolving  the  silver  with  acids  and  subsequently  precipitating;  or, second, 
by  converting  silver  into  chloride  by  heat  and  chlorine  gas,  and  then 
reducing  the  chloride  to  a metallic  state. 

Alloying. — Compounding  two  or  mere  metals  together  in  suitable  or 
legal  proportions  for  coinage.  Gold  and  silver  are  alloyed  with  copper  for 
standard  coins,  and  alloys  are  variously  made  of  nickel  and  copper,  or  of 
copper,  tin,  and  zinc  for  minor  coins. 

Fine  Bars. — Gold  and  silver  bars  resulting  from  the  operations  of  part- 
ing and  refining.  Bars  containing  99  per  cent,  of  pure  metal  are  generally 
considered  as  fine  bars. 

Unparted  Bullion. — Gold  containing  silver  or  silver  containing  gold 
which  has  not  been  subjected  to  the  parting  operation. 

Amalgam. — Gold  and  silver  extracted  from  ores  or  other  substances  by 
the  use  of  mercury  and  left  in  a porous  oi  spongy  condition,  when  the 
mercury  is  removed  by  distillation. 

Fineness. — A term  indicating  the  proportion  of  pure  metal  contained 
in  a piece  of  gold  or  silver.  Fineness  is  expressed  in  thousandths;  that 
is,  pure  metal  is  1000.  United  States  coin  is  x9A°f  dne>  or  decimally  .900 
fine.  Fineness  is  estimated  by  jewelers  and  workers  in  the  precious  metals 
by  “ carats,”  pure  metal  being  24  carats.  Thus  22  carats,  the  British 
standard  for  gold  coins,  is  ff,  or  decimally,  916§  fine. 

. Deposit— Melting. — The  operation  of  melting  a deposit  of  gold  or 
silver  at  the  Mint  to  secure  a homogeneity  of  metals,  preliminary  to  taking 
a sample  for  assaying. 

Remedy  of  the  Mint. — The  legal  variation  allowed  from  the  fineness 
and  weight  prescribed  by  law  for  the  coins. 

Trial  of  the  Pyx. — The  annual  test  made  by  special  commissioners 
of  the  fineness  and  weight  of  coins  reserved  from  each  delivery  of  coin  by 
the  coiner  to  the  superintendent.  These  coins  are  known  as  Pyx  coins, 
because  kept  in  a pyx  or  chest. 


Strong  Nitric  Acid  (36°),  39  parts. 
Muriatic  Acid,  1 part. 

Water,  20  parts. 


TEST  FOR  GOLD. 


TEST  FOR  SILVER. 

24  grains  Nite  of  Silver. 
30  drops  Nitric  Acid. 

1 ounce  Water. 


GLOSSARY. 


154 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Refractory  Bullion. — Gold  or  silver  bullion  which  contains  a small 
percentage  of  lead,  tin,  or  antimony,  and  which  is  therefore  too  hard  or 
brittle  to  roll,  cut,  or  stamp  with  facility. 

Wastage. — The  amount  of  gold  and  silver  lost  in  the  processes  which 
these  metals  undergo  preparatory  to  striking  the  coins.  This  ‘‘wastage” 
by  law  must  not  exceed  a certain  percentage  of  the  gross  amount  of  metals 
worked. 

Sweepings. — The  ashes,  fluxes,  crucibles,  sweepings,  and  all  other  refuse 
materials  from  rooms  in  which  the  metals  are  worked,  containing  a small 
amount  of  gold  and  silver. 

Standard. — The  weight  and  fineness  fixed  by  law  for  the  coins ; hence 
the  term  “standard  weight”  or  “standard  fineness.” 

Base  Bullion. — Gold  or  silver  bullion  not  fit  for  coinage  purposes,  by 
reason  of  the  presence  of  base  metals,  until  refined. 

Mint  Mark. — The  letter  or  mark  on  the  coin,  designating  the  mint  at 
which  it  was  struck;  as  “S”  for  San  Francisco,  “C  C”  for  Carson  City, 
“O”  for  New  Orleans.* 

Money  of  Account. — The  ideal  unit,  or  money  term,  in  which  accounts 
are  stated  or  transactions  made,  as  the  'pound  sterling  of  Great  Britain,  the 
dollar  of  the  United  States,  th e franc  of  France,  and  the  reichsmark  of  the 
German  Empire. 

Coins  of  Standard  Value. — In  modern  times  a government  first 
establishes  a money  of  account  or  ideal  unit,  and  then  fixes  by  law  the 
quantity  of  gold  or  silver  which  shall,  in  the  form  of  a coin  with  unlimited 
legal-tender  power,  represent  that  ideal  unit.  Such  coins,  with  their  mul- 
tiples and  divisions,  are  termed  “coins  of  standard  value”  or  “standard 
coins.” 

Subsidiary  Coins. — In  the  United  States  silver  coins  of  less  denomina- 
tion than  the  dollar,  which  have  a nominal  value  exceeding  their  intrinsic 
or  bullion  value,  and  limited  as  legal  tender  to  sums  not  exceeding  five- 
dollars. 

Minor  Coins. — Coins  of  small  denominations  used  for  change,  and 
struck  from  other  metals  than  gold  or  silver. 

Mint  Prices  of  Gold  and  Silver  (Coining  Value). — The  rate  per 
standard  ounce  at  which  the  mint  converts  bullion  into  legal-tender  coins. 
The  coining  rate  of  an  ounce  of  standard  gold  bullion,  i.  e.}  bullion  fjpfo 
fine  in  the  United  States  is  $18,604  -f-.  The  coining  rate  of  the  silver 
dollar  of  412 J grains,  discontinued  by  law  April  1,  1873,  was  $1.16^  per 
standard  ounce. 

The  Basis  of  the  Money  System  of  all  civilized  nations  is  gold  or 
silver,  or  both,  in  a ratio  fixed  by  law.  The  relative  valuation  of  the  two 
metals  in  the  coins  of  nations  using  the  double  standard,  is  about  one  of 
gold  to  fifteen  and  a half  of  silver. 

Partial  List  of  Medals  in  Copper-Bronzed , also,  in  Crold  and 
Silver , which  may  he  obtained  at  the  Mint. 


ARMY.  Size.  Price. 

Washington  before  Boston 42  $2  50’ 

Colonel  William  Washington,  for  Cowpens 28  1 50 

Major-General  Harrison,  for  the  Thames 40  1 50 

Major-General  Scott,  for  Chippewa  and  Niagara 40  1 50 

Major-General  Gaines,  for  Fort  Erie 40  1 50 

Major-General  Porter,  for  Chippewa,  Niagara,  and  Erie 40  1 50 

Major-General  Macomb,  Battle  of  Plattsburgh. 40  1 50 

Major-General  Jackson,  Battle  of  New  Orleans 40  1 50 

Major-General  Taylor,  Palo  Alto 40  1 50 


* The  coins  struck  at  the  parent  mint  in  Philadelphia  hear  no  mint  mark. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


155* 


Major-General  Taylor,  for  Monterey 40  $1  50 

Major-General  Taylor,  for  Buena  Vista 56  3 00 

Major-General  Scott,  for  Battles  in  Mexico 56  3 00 

Major-General  Grant 64  8 00 

Colonel  Lee,  “Light-Horse  Harry ” 29  1 50 

Count  DeFleury,  for  Stony  Point 15  2 25 

NAVY. 

John  Paul  Jones,  for  Serapis 36  2 00 

Captain  Hull,  for  Capture  of  Guerriere 40  1 50 

Captain  Jacob  Jones,  for  Capture  of  the  Frolic 40  1 50 

Captain  Decatur,  for  Capture  of  the  Macedonian 40  1 50 

Captain  Bainbridge,  for  Capture  of  the  Java 40  1 50 

Captain  Lawrence,  for  Capture  of  the  Peacock 40  1 50' 

Captain  Burrows,  for  Capture  of  the  Boxer 40  1 50 

Captain  Perry,  for  Capture  of  British  Fleet  on  Lake  Erie...  40  1 5o 

Captain  Elliott,  for  Capture  of  British  Fleet  on  Lake  Erie...  40  1 50 

Captain  Warrington,  for  Capture  of  the  Epervier 40  1 50' 

Captain  Blakely,  for  Capture  of  the  Reindeer 40  1 50* 

Captain  MacDonough,  for  Capture  of  the  British  Fleet  on 

Lake  Champlain 40  1 50 

Captain  Henley,  Capture  of  British  Fleet  on  Lake  Champlain  40  1 50 

Lieut.  Cassin,  Capture  of  British  Fleet  on  Lake  Champlain...  40  1 50 

Captain  Biddle,  for  Capture  of  the  Penguin 40  1 50 

Captain  Stewart,  for  Capture  of  the  Cyane  and  Levant 40  1 50 

Captain  Edw.  Preble  before  Tripoli 40  1 50 

PRESIDENTIAL. 

John  Adams 32  1 50 

Thomas  Jefferson 47  2 50 

James  Madison 40  1 50 

James  Monroe 40  1 50 

John  Q.  Adams 40  1 50 

Andrew  Jackson 40  1 50 

Martin  Van  Buren 40  1 50 

John  Tyler 40  1 50 

James  K.  Polk 40  1 50 

Zachary  Taylor 40  1 50 

Millard  Fillmore 40  1 50 

Franklin  Pierce 40  1 50 

James  Buchanan 48  2 00 

Abraham  Lincoln 48  2 00 

Andrew  Johnson 48  2 00 

Ulysses  S.  Grant 48  2 00 

Rutherford  B.  Hayes 48  2 00 

James  A.  Garfield 48  2 00 

Chester  A.  Arthur 48  2 00 

SUB-NATIONAL  MEDALS. 

Captain  Perry  (State  of  Pennsylvania),  for  Capture  of  the 

British  Fleet  on  Lake  Erie 40  1 50 

Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  Action  on  Lake  Erie 40  1 50 

Major-General  Scott  (Commonwealth  of  Virginia) 56  3 00 

MISCELLANEOUS  AMERICAN. 

Professor  Agassiz  Medal 30  1 50 

Colonel  Armstrong,  for  Destruction  of  the  Indian  Village  of 

Kittanning 27  1 00 

Captains  Creighton,  Low,  and  Stouffer,  Wreck  of  Steamer 

San  Francisco 47  2 00 


156 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Captains  Creighton,  Low,  and  StoufFer,  Wreck  of  Steamer 

San  Francisco,  by  Congress 

Cornelius  Vanderbilt,  by  Congress..  

First  Steam  Coinage 

Commodore  M.  C.  Ferry,  from  Merchants  of  Boston 

Pacific  Railroad  Medal 

Emancipation  Proclamation  Medal 

Cyrus  W.  Field,  Atlantic  Cable  Medal 

Dr.  Joseph  Pancoast 

Grant  Indian  Peace  Medal 

Garfield  Indian  Peace  Medal (oblong) 

Arthur  Indian  Peace  Medal “ 

“ Let  Us  Have  Peace  ” 

Metis  (Shipwreck)  Medal 

John  Horn  (Life  Saving)  Medal 

U.  S.  Diplomatic  Medal,  July  4,  1776 

Valley  Forge  Centennial 

Great  Seal  Medal 


50  $3  00 

48  2 50 

16  25 

40  2 00 

29  1 25 

29  1 00 

64  8 00 

48  3 00 

40  3 00 

2 00 
2 00 

29  1 25 

42  1 50 

30  1 00 

45  2 00 

25  50 

39  1 50 


DIRECTORS  OF  THE  MINT. 

David  Rittenhouse 

Robert  M.  Patterson 

James  Ross  Snowden 

James  Pollock 

H.  R.  Linderman 

James  P.  Kimball 

SUPERINTENDED  TS. 

A.  Loudon  Snowden 

Daniel  M*  Fox.® 


28  1 25 
42  1 50 
50  2 50 

29  1 25 
50  2 00 


m 2 oo 


FINE  GOLD  MEDALS. 

( See  Rule  3.) 

Time  Increases  His  Fame 16  12  00 

James  A.  Garfield 16  9 00 

Commencement  of  Cabinet 12  6 25 

Washington  and  Jackson 10  4 50 


Lincoln  and  Garfield 10  4 50 


FINE  SILVER  MEDALS. 


(, See  Rule  3.) 

Cabinet  Medal 

Presidency  Relinquished 

Allegiance  Medal 

Time  Increases  His  Fame 

James  A.  Garfield 

Pennsylvania  Bi-Centennial 

Commencement  of  Cabinet 

Washington  and  Jackson 

Washington  and  Lincoln 

Washington  and  Grant 

Washington  Wreath 

Lincoln  and  Grant 

Lincoln  Broken  Column 

Lincoln  and  Garfield 

Valley  Forge  Centennial 


37  6 00 

25  3 00 

18  1 00 

16  75 

16  60 

16  50 

12  35 

10  25 

10  25 

10  25 

10  25 

10  25 

10  25 

10  25 

25  1 60 


The  diameter  of  the  medals  is  expressed  by  numbers,  each  of  which 
indicates  the  sixteenth  of  an  inclu 

Medals  struck  to  order  in  gold,  silver,  or  bronze,  from  die*  of  public 
institutions. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


157 


OUR  GOLD  AND  SILVER. 

The  Production  of  the  Precious  Metals  in  1890 — the  Stock  of 

the  United  States  January  1 , 1891 , was  $1,19 1,1 1^2 $01^. 

Washington,  February  26. 

Edward  0.  Leech,  Director  of  the  Mint,  has  submitted  to 
Congress  a report  on  the  production  of  the  precious  metals 
for  the  calendar  year  1890.  The  gold  product  of  the  United 
States  was  1,588,880  fine  ounces  (Troy)  of  the  value  of 
$32,845,000,  an  increase  of  $45,000  over  the  product  of  the 
preceding  year.  The  silver  product  of  our  own  mines  ap- 
proximated 54,500,000  ounces,  corresponding  at  the  average 
price  of  silver  during  the  year,  to  $57,225,000,  and  at  the 
coining  value  of  silver  to  $70,464,645,  against  a product  of 
50,000,000  fine  ounces  of  the  commercial  value  of  $46,750,000 
and  coining  value  of  $64,464,464  in  the  preceding  year,  an 
increase  of  4,500,000  fine  ounces  in  the  silver  product  of  the 
United  States  last  year.  The  silver  product  of  our  smelters 
and  refineries  was  64,920,927  fine  ounces. 

The  total  value  of  the  gold  deposited  at  the  mints  during 
the  calendar  year  was  $56,217,105,  of  which  $31,234,342 
was  domestic  bullion,  $4,352,422  foreign  gold  bullion, 
$8,857,447  foreign  gold  coin,  $558,386  light-weight  domestic 
gold  coin,  $3,765,363  old  jewelry,  plate,  etc.,  and  $7,449,141 
re-deposits.  The  total  amount  of  silver  offered  for  sale  to  the 
government  during  the  year  was  68,130,457  fine  ounces,  and 
the  amount  purchased  37,594,373.75  fine  ounces,  costing 
$39,991,840,  the  average  cost  being  $1.06  per  fine  ounce.  The 
coinage  executed  during  the  last  calendar  year  was  the  largest 
in  the  history  of  the  mint  service,  aggregating  124,025,365 
pieces,  of  the  value  of  $61,054,882.84,  as  follows : Gold, 
$20,467,182;  silver  dollars,  $38,043,004;  subsidiary  silver 
coins,  $1,159,904;  minor  coins,  $1,384,792. 

There  was  a marked  improvement  in  the  price  of  silver 
during  the  past  calendar  year,  the  price  reaching  the  highest 
point  in  twelve  years.  The  fluctuations  covered  a range  of 
26  per  cent.,  a wider  range  by  far  than  in  any  previous  year. 
At  the  commencement  of  the  year  the  silver  was  quoted  at 
$0.98  per  fine  ounce.  It  reached  $1.21  on  August  19,  and 
closed  on  December  31,  at  $1.04J.  The  average  price  during 
the  year  was  : In  London,  $1.04.6  ; in  New  York,  $1.05.  At 
the  lowest  price  reached  during  the  year,  the  value  of  the  silver 
dollar  was  $0.74.8  ; at  the  highest  price,  $0.92.6  ; the  average 
price,  $0.80.9.  The  metallic  stock  of  the  United  States  was, 
approximately  on  January  1,  1891:  Gold,  $704,597,128; 
silver,  $486,545,076;  total,  $1,191,142,204. 


158 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


UNITED  STATES  ASSAY  OFFICE,  NEW  YORK. 

The  United  States  Assay  Office  at  New  York  was  estab- 
lished by  Act  of  Congress  in  1853  and  began  business  in 
1854.  It  occupies  the  bnilding  Nos.  30  and  32  Wall  Street, 
erected  in  1823  for  the  use  of  the  United  States  Branch 
Bank.  It  was  a fine  structure  in  its  day,  but,  being  only  two 
stories  high,  it  looks  small  now,  surrounded  by  lofty  modern 
buildings.  It  was  fitted  up  for  offices  and  the  assay  laboratory, 
and  a large  building  was  erected  in  the  rear  for  refining  opera- 
tions. The  latter  was  among  the  first  of  the  fire-proof  build- 
ings constructed  in  New  York  (with  floors  of  iron  beams  and 
brick  arches),  and  its  firm  condition  to-day  bears  witness  to 
the  skill  and  care  of  the  United  States  Army  officers  who 
supervised  its  erection. 

The  business  of  the  office  consists  in  assaying,  parting  and 
refining  gold  and  silver  bullion,  and  the  manufacture  of  gold 
and  silver  bars.  The  “ parting”  is  done  by  the  sulphuric  acid 
process  ; the  metals,  previously  alloyed  in  the  right  proportion 
and  granulated,  being  boiled  in  the  acid  until  the  silver  and 
base  metals  are  dissolved,  leaving  the  gold  in  the  form  of  a 
fine  powder.  The  silver  is  restored  to  metallic  form  by  reduc- 
tion with  copper,  and  both  gold  and  silver  are  melted  and 
fluxed  separately  in  crucibles  and  cast  into  bars.  In  this  pro- 
cess a by-product,  sulphate  of  copper  (blue  vitriol)  is  obtained, 
which,  with  the  waste  acid,  is  sold  to  the  highest  bidder.  One 
year  the  sales  yielded  the  Government  over  $17,000. 

Gold  deposits  are  paid  for  with  gold  coin  or  bars,  silver  de- 
posits with  silver  bars  only.  The  gold  bars  range  in  value 
from  $105  to  $8,000.  The  silver  bars  weigh  from  about  six 
ounces  to  1,500  ounces  Troy.  These  bars  are  stamped  with 
the  weight  and  fineness  (the  gold  with  value  also),  and  bear 
the  seal  of  the  office,  which  gives  them  a recognized  commercial 
value.  They  are  largely  used  in  the  manufacture  of  jewelry, 
plate,  etc.  No  deposits  of  less  value  than  $100  are  received. 
Returns  are  usually  made  within  one  to  three  days. 

During  the  last  fiscal  year  the  value  of  the  gold  received 
was  $25,181,054.21 ; the  coinage  value  of  the  silver,  $7,605,- 
366.57  ; making  a total  of  $32,786,420.78. 

When  gold  is  imported  freely  the  deposits  are  of  great  mag- 
nitude. 


UNITED  STATES  ASSAY  OFFICE,  NEW  YORK. 


UNITED  STATES  MINT,  SAN  FRANCISCO,  CAL. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


163 


UNITED  STATES  MINT  AT  NEW  ORLEANS,  LA. 

The  Mint  at  New  Orleans  was  established  as  a Branch 
Mint  of  the  United  States  by  Act  of  Congress,  of  March  3, 
1835.  The  building  occupies,  by  deed  of  gift  from  the  City 
of  New  Orleans,  the  entire  square  of  ground  located  in  the 
Second  District,  bounded  by  Esplanade,  Barracks,  Decatur 
and  Old  Levee  streets  on  the  river  front.  The  deed  was 
signed  by  Ex-Mayor  Pilsbury,  in  accordance  with  an  ordin- 
ance of  the  City  Council,  passed  unanimously  on  the  8th  day 
of  July,  1878.  Previous  to  the  execution  of  the  deed  of  con- 
veyance, the  United  States  had  occupied  the  ground  by  virtue 
of  a perpetual  grant,  in  use  from  the  City,  dated  June  19, 
1835. 

The  building  was  designed  by  William  Strickland,  archi- 
tect ; was  begun  in  September,  1835,  and  finished  in  1838,  at 
a cost  of  $182,000.  Total  length  including  the  wings  282 
feet;  depth  of  main  building  108  feet;  the  wings  are  29  by 
81  feet. 

In  addition,  iron  fences  inclosing  the  square,  out  door  im- 
provements, the  machinery,  furnaces,  fixtures,  apparatus  and 
improvements,  previously  ordered  and  in  use,  cost  nearly 
$118,000. 

The  Mint  remained  idle  for  coinage  purposes  during  and 
since  the  close  of  the  war,  altogether  about  eighteen  years, 
except  for  mere  incidental  purposes,  until  the  operations  of 
coinage  were  resumed  January  15,  1879. 

In  1878—1879  additional  requirements  of  the  service  created 
a necessity  for  further  facilities  and  a careful  estimate  was 
made  by  Dr.  M.  F.  Bonzano,  for  more  machinery,  including  a 
new  improved  press  for  coining  silver  dollars,  which  cost  about 
$7,000,  making  a total  cost  of  about  $75,000,  including 
repairs. 

This  imposing  structure,  occupying  the  entire  square,  is  of 
the  Roman  and  Ionic  style  of  architecture,  and  is  made  fire- 
proof throughout.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  on  the  founda- 
tion of  the  old  Spanish  Fort  St.  Charles  of  1807  and  1808, 
■which  had  a wide  and  deep  moat  encircling  the  entire  square, 
and  was  approached  by  a drawbridge  from  Barracks  street  as 
the  only  mode  of  access  to  the  Fort,  reminding  one  of  the 
palmy  days  of  Knight  errantry.  The  barracks  for  the  soldiers 
fronted  on  old  Levee  street. 

The  Sundry  Civil  Act,  approved  March  2,  1889,  appropri- 


164 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


ated  $60,000  for  the  construction  of  steel  vaults  in  the  New 
Orleans  and  San  Francisco  Mints  for  the  storage  of  silver. 
The  contract  for  this  Mint  was  awarded  to  Messrs.  Farrel  & 
Co.,  of  Philadelphia,  who  put  in  a chilled  steel  vault  with  six 
compartments,  entirely  burglar  and  fire  proof,  capable  of  storing 
$20,000,000. 

The  work,  including  the  outer  door  with  combination  lock, 
the  compartment  lattice  and  grilled  inner  doors,  was  done  to 
the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  Superintendent. 


List  of  /Super intendants. 


1837 — David  Bradford. 

1839 — Jos.  M.  Kennedy. 
1851 — Robt.  M.  McAlpine. 
1855 — Chas.  Bienevue. 

1859 — Logan  McKnight, 

(3  months.) 

1859 — Wm.  A.  Elmore. 
1861 — Mint  closed. 

1874 — M.  F.  Bonzano, 

(Assayer  in  charge.) 


1876— M.  F.  Bonzano, 

(Special  agent  in  charge.) 

1878 —  Michael  Hahn. 

1879—  H.  S.  Foote. 

1880 —  M.  Y.  Davis. 

1882— A.  W.  Symth. 

1885 — G.  Montegut. 

1889 — A.  W.  Smyth. 


THE  ST.  LOUIS  ASSAY  OFFICE. 

This  office  was  opened  for  business  on  January  3,  1882, 
quarters  having  been  provided  for  it  in  the  building  then 
occupied  as  a Post  Office  and  Custom  House,  on  the  corner  of 
Third  and  Olive  streets.  The  total  expenditure  for  alterations, 
for  partitions,  for  fixtures  and  for  apparatus,  was  $6,896.11. 

In  1887,  owing  to  the  complete  reconstruction  of  the  build- 
ing, the  office  was  compelled  to  rent  rooms  at  210,  212  north 
Third  street,  in  the  immediate  neighborhood,  but  by  the  time 
this  is  in  print  it  will  be  located  in  the  commodious  quarters 
fitted  up  for  its  use,  on  the  upper  floor  of  the  “ Old  Post 
Office,”  now  occupied  in  the  lower  stories  by  the  U.  S.  Ap- 
praiser and  the  Branch  Post  Office.  The  office  occupies  four 
rooms,  well  lighted  and  ventilated,  and  the  bullion  in  its 
possession  is  kept  in  a secure  fire  and  burglar  proof  vault, 
built  for  its  especial  use.  It  is  provided  with  the  latest 
improvements  in  the  way  of  gas  melting  and  assaying  furnaces, 
no  solid  fuel  whatever  being  used.  Power  for  blast  and  other 


UNITED  STATES  MINT  AT  NEW  ORLEANS,  LA. 


UNITED  STATES  BRANCH  MINT,  DENVER,  COL. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


160 


purposes  is  furnished  by  a small  high  speed  automatic  engine 
of  the  best  type.  The  office  force  consists  of  the  assayer  in 
-charge,  a clerk  and  a workman,  and  with  the  improvements 
lately  introduced  deposits  to  the  amount  of  more  than  a million 
-dollars  a year  can  be  handled  without  increase  in  the  number. 

The  amount  of  gold  and  silver  deposited  has  shown  a steady 
-and  rapid  increase  each  year  since  the  foundation  of  the  office, 
and  at  present  (January,  1892,)  averages  nearly  four  thousand 
dollars  a working  day,  showing  that  the  office  has  been  appre- 
ciated as  a public  convenience. 


UNITED  STATES  MINT,  SAN  FRANCISCO. 

By  Act  of  Congress  in  1853  an  appropriation  was  made  to 
-establish  a Mint  at  San  Francisco.  It  was  built  and  put  in 
operation  in  1854,  and  was  located  on  Commercial  Street, 
between  Montgomery  and  Kearny,  and  upon  the  present  site 
of  the  Sub-Treasury,  where  operations  were  continued  until 
•completion  of  the  new  Mint. 

In  1864,  Congress  appreciating  the  importance  and  magni- 
tude of  the  mineral  wealth  of  the  United  States,  and  espe- 
cially of  the  Pacific  Coast,  made  an  appropriation  for  the 
erection  of  a new  Mint  Building.  The  site  chosen  was  on  the 
corner  of  Fifth  and  Mission,  and  the  building  was  completed 
and  operations  commenced  in  November,  1874. 

It  is  a very  substantial  structure,  three  stories  in  height, 
the  first  being  of  granite  and  the  upper  stories  of  sandstone. 
It  has  a frontage  of  220  feet  on  Fifth  Street  and  a depth  of 
165  feet  on  Mission  Street.  It  is  complete  in  all  its  appoint- 
ments, including  a refinery,  and  has  a capacity  sufficient  for 
•any  requirement  which  is  liable  to  be  made  upon  it.  Its 
coinage  has  exceeded  $50,000,000  in  a single  year. 

From  its  establishment  in  1854  to  the  close  of  the  year 
1891  the  coinage  was  as  follows : 


$811,268,907 

129,013,948 


Gold .. 
Silver 


Total 


$940,282,855 


170 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


UNITED  STATES  BRANCH  MINT,  DENVER, 
COLORADO. 

The  United  States  Government,  in  April,  1862,  purchased, 
the  premises  of  Clark,  Gruber  & Co.’s  private  coining  estab- 
lishment. From  the  starting  of  this  enterprise  until  its  sale 
the  gold  coins  of  this  firm  were  in  circulation  through  Colorado, 
and  considered  as  good  as  U.  S.  coin.  The  appropriation  was 
for  $75,000,  as  the  design  of  the  Government  was  to  make  a 
coinage  Mint  at  Denver.  This  was  never  carried  out,  and 
the  institution,  though  known  as  The  Mint  of  the  United: 
States,  remains  an  assay  office,  under  an  Assayer-in-Charge, 
with  a melter  as  an  operative  officer.  The  first  deposit  of 
gold  was  received  on  the  opening  day  of  the  Mint,  September 
24,  1863.  George  W.  Lane  held  the  office  of  the  first  ap- 
pointee until  July  1,  1869.  He  was  succeeded  by  Frederick 
J.  Schirmer,  who  held  the  office  for  about  seven  years  as 
Assayer-in-Charge.  Herman  Silver,  Posey  S.  Wilson  and 
George  C.  Munson  have  been  Assay ers-in- Charge,  and  the 
present  incumbent  is  M.  E.  Smith. 

Bills  have  at  each  session  of  every  year  been  introduced 
making  this  institution  a coinage  Mint,  but  for  some  strange 
reason  they  have  never  prevailed,  though  Colorado’s  produc- 
tion of  precious  metals  for  the  year  1891  was  over  thirty- four 
millions.  Bank  clearances  $228,698,034,  and  Denver  is  a 
city  of  150,000  population,  with  splendid  railroad  and  express 
facilities. 


THE  CARSON  MINT,  CARSON  CITY,  NEVADA. 

The  Mint  of  the  United  States  at  Carson  City,  Nevada,  is 
situated  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  in  the  heart  of  a 
mining  country,  sixteen  miles  from  the  famous  “ Comstock 
Lode.” 

It  is  built  of  sand  stone  from  the  Nevada  State  Prison 
Quarry.  Piet  style  of  architecture.  Portico,  Ionic,  It  is 
a two-and-a-half  story  building,  and  has  a frontage  of  90  by 
170  feet  deep,  and  was  erected  in  1867  at  a cost  of  $300,000, 
including  the  building  and  machinery. 

As  a preventive  against  fire,  the  floors  are  double,  with  an 
inch  of  mortar  between.  The  foundations  are  seven  feet  belowr 
the  basement  floor  and  laid  in  concrete. 


THE  CARSON  MINT,  CARSON  CITY,  NEVADA. 


TIIB  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


173 


The  institution  was  first  opened  for  operation  on  July  1, 
1869,  with  Col.  Abraham  Curry  (the  discoverer  of  the  famous 
Gould  and  Curry  mine,  of  the  Comstock  Lode,)  as  Superin- 
tendent. The  successive  Superintendents  were : H.  F.  Rice, 
F.  D.  Hetrich,  Jas.  Crawford,  Wm.  Garrard,  and  S.  C. 
Wright,  the  present  incumbent. 

The  Refinery  of  the  Mint  is  equipped  with  sulphuric  and 
nitric  acid  processes,  and  also  cupel  furnaces.  The  capacity 
of  the  Refinery  is  about  6,000  ounces  per  day,  of  eight  hours. 

The  capacity  of  the  coining  department,  when  working  a 
force  to  the  fullest  capacity,  is  $500,000  in  silver  and  $500,000 
in  gold  coins.  In  this  department  there  are  three  coining 
presses,  one  for  silver  dollars  and  double  eagles ; one  for  half- 
dollars,  eagles  and  half-eagles,  and  one  for  minor  coins. 

At  the  present  writing  the  Mint  is  employed  in  melting, 
parting  and  refining  bullion  and  coining  double  eagles,  eagles, 
half-eagles  and  standard  silver  dollars. 

The  Carson  Mint  has  the  honor  of  having  coined  the  first 
standard  silver  dollar,  as  well  as  the  last  trade  dollar  that  was 
coined  in  the  United  States. 

The  total  coinage  executed  at  the  Mint  from  its  organiza- 
tion to  December  31st,  1891,  is  $15,776,340  in  double  eagles, 
$2,282,780  in  eagles,  $2,564,245  in  half-eagles,  $10,631,288 
in  silver  dollars,  $4,211,400  in  trade  dollars,  $2,654,313.50 
in  half-dollars,  $2,579,198  in  quarter-dollars,  $28,658  in 
twenty  cent  pieces,  and  $2,090,110.80  in  dimes,  making  a 
total  gold  coinage  of  $20,623,365,  and  a silver  coinage  of 
$22,194,970.30,  or  a grand  total,  including  both  gold  and 
silver,  of  $42,818,335.30. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  ASSAY  OFFICE,  HELENA, 

MONTANA. 

An  Act  of  Congress,  approved  May  12,  1874,  required  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury  to  establish  an  Assay  Office  at 
Helena,  Montana,  and  appropriated  the  sum  of  $50,000 
for  the  construction  of  a building  and  the  furnishing  of  the 
same  with  the  necessary  fixtures  and  apparatus.  In  com- 
pliance with  this  act  a site  was  purchased  and  the  construction 
was  commenced  in  May,  1875.  On  the  1st  of  October  of 
the  same  year  the  corner-stone  of  the  building  was  laid,  with 
appropriate  ceremonies,  by  the  Masonic  Grand  Lodge  of 


174 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


Montana,  and  the  structure  was  completed  and  opened  to 
public  business  in  1876. 

The  building  is  a handsome  and  substantially  built  three- 
story  red  brick  with  granite  trimmings,  forty-two  by  fifty  feet, 
outside  dimentions,  and  occupies  the  centre  of  an  imposing 
corner  location,  one  hundred  and  fifty  by  one  hundred  feet, 
the  grounds  of  which  are  well  kept  as  a beautiful  lawn. 

From  time  to  time  the  introduction  of  improved  methods  in 
the  operative  departments  have  necessitated  some  changes  in 
the  original  plans,  and  some  additions  have  been  made  to  the 
building  for  increasing  its  capacity  in  order  to  keep  pace  with 
the  gradually  increasing  amount  of  deposits.  The  present 
capacity  of  this  office  is  equal  to  all  demands  that  are  likely 
to  be  made  upon  it  under  the  present  policy,  as  only  gold 
bullion  is  purchased  for  government  account,  and  in  con- 
sequence only  gold  bullion  is  handled  to  any  amount.  The 
bars  of  gold  bullion  manufactured  amount  to  almost  a third 
of  the  total  gold  production  of  the  State,  and  include  nearly 
all  the  placer  and  quartz  gold  bullion  containing  fifty  per  cent, 
or  over  of  gold,  except  such  gold  as  is  extracted  from  ores 
shipped  out  of  the  State  for  treatment. 

The  equipment  of  this  institution  contains  all  the  modern 
improvements  and  appliances  recognized  as  the  most  efficient 
for  the  prompt  and  safe  handling  and  returns  of  deposits. 
Gas  is  the  fuel  used,  both  in  the  melting  and  assay  depart- 
ments, the  blast  being  furnished  by  a four  horse  power  engine. 
The  building  is  heated  by  steam  and  lighted  by  electricity 
from  its  own  plant. 


THE  UNITED  STATES  ASSAY  OFFICE,  BOISE 
CITY,  IDAHO. 

The  United  States  Assay  Office  at  Boise  City,  Idaho,  was 
established  by  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1870.  Work  on 
the  building  was  begun  in  June  of  that  year,  and  continued 
until  its  completion  in  September,  1871.  The  building  is  of 
native  stone,  size  60x60  ; two  stories  high  and  a basement. 

The  offices,  laboratory,  melting  rooms  and  furnaces  are 
located  on  the  first  floor,  while  the  basement,  extending  under 
the  whole  building,  affords  convenient  storage  rooms  for  coal 
and  other  supplies.  The  building  cost  the  government  about 
$80,000.  At  the  time  of  its  erection  labor  and  material  were 


UNITE])  ST4TES  ASSAY  O^FICEj  BOISU  CITY,  IUAJfO 


MU 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


ITT 


very  high ; stone-cutters  and  carpenters  commanded  ten 
dollars  per  day,  and  unskilled  labor  was  paid  in  proportion. 

The  work  at  this  office  is  similar  to  that  at  the  other  assay 
offices  of  the  government,  and  consists  in  melting  and  manu- 
facturing into  bars  the  bullion  as  it  is  received  from  the 
miners ; assaying  and  ascertaining  its  value,  purchasing  it  on 
account  of  the  government  and  shipping  to  the  United  States 
Mint  at  Philadelphia  for  coinage.  In  this  work  there  are 
employed  seven  men  besides  the  Assayer  in  charge.  The 
annual  deposits  at  this  office  range  from  ST00,000  to  nearly 
#1,000,000. 

The  building  is  located  in  the  centre  of  one  of  the  most 
desirable  blocks  in  the  city.  The  grounds  are  divided  into 
sections  by  walks,  lined  with  beautiful  shade  trees,  while  the 
different  sections  are  lovely  lawns  carefully  kept.  Seen  in 
summer,  it  is  the  most  beautiful  spot  in  Idaho. 


178 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF 


RARITY  AND  CONDITION  OF  COINS. 

Coins  are  rare  according  to  the  number  issued,  the  degree 
of  rarity  being  governed  by  the  quantity  coined — as  rare , 
extremely  rare , unique. 

Of  course  there  is  but  one  issue  of  a unique  coin ; as  per 
example,  the  1849  Double  Eagle  in  the  cabinet  of  the  Mint, 
there  having  been  but  a single  piece  of  the  twenty  dollar  issue 
of  1849  coined. 

There  are  other  unique  coins  in  the  Mint  Cabinet,  the 
fictitious  value  of  which  would  reach,  in  some  cases,  over  one 
thousand  dollars. 

Extremely  rare  coins  refer  to  those  issued  to  a limited 
number,  say  for  instance  the  1804  dollar,  the  1802  half  dime, 
etc.,  where  a dozen  pieces  embrace  all  that  is  known  of  those 
issues. 

A rare  coin  is  represented  by  hundreds,  as  per  example, 
the  1793,  1799  and  1804  cents,  etc. 

Common  dates  of  coins  represent  issues  of  tens  and  hun- 
dreds of  thousands  of  pieces,  and  are  of  no  fictitious  value, 
unless  in  uncirculated  or  new  condition. 

Condition  of  Coins. 

Proof  condition  designates  a coin  made  expressly  for  col- 
lectors, and  other  mints,  to  preserve  our  coinage  in  first  class 
condition  for  posterity.  Proof  coins  are  made  from  dies  pre- 
pared expressly  for  the  purpose,  and  are  polished  to  a great 
degree  of  brightness.  The  planchets  are  also  prepared  ex- 
pressly for  receiving  the  proof  impressions,  being  highly 
polished  and  otherwise  prepared  for  sharp,  even  impressions. 
There  are  usually  proofs  of  all  the  annual  coinages  for  dis- 
tribution among  the  Numismatic  Societies,  collectors,  and 
mints  of  the  world. 

Uncirculated  designates  a coin  struck  from  the  ordinary 
dies,  being  new  and  usually  bright,  but  deprived  of  the  mirror- 


THE  UNITED  STATES  MINT. 


179 


like  surface  found  on  proof  coins.  Possessing  a dead  bright- 
ness, an  uncirculated  coin  is  always  known  as  distinct  from 
a proof  coin,  which  latter  always  possesses  a brilliant  field. 

Very  fine  appertains  to  a coin  having  a condition  but  a 
trifle  below  uncirculated,  while  the  parts  are  sharp  and  but 
little  abraded ; color  ranging  from  dark  to  light. 

Fine  attaches  to  a well  preserved,  sharp,  distinct  coin, 
although  somewhat  abraded,  and  some  parts  considerably 
worn. 

G-ood  applies  to  a coin  pretty  well  worn  down  in  all  parts, 
but  all  impressions  and  legends  readily  seen  on  either  side. 

Fair  and  Poor  apply  to  all  other  coins,  and  unless  rare , 
have  no  fictitious  value. 

The  Mint  does  not  engage  to  purchase  coins  generally ; 
there  are  a few  excessively  rare  coins  wanted  to  complete  the 
Mint  Coin  Cabinet.  There  are  many  reliable  Coin  Dealers 
to  whom  the  parties  having  coins  for  sale  can  apply ; among 
the  number  are : 

Scott  Stamp  and  Coin  Co., 

25  E.  Twenty-third  st.,  New  York. 

N.  Y.  Coin  and  Stamp  Co., 

853  Broadway,  New  York. 

J.  W.  Scott, 

35  Fulton  st.,  New  York. 

H.  B.  Morey, 

31  Exchange  st.,  Boston,  Mass. 

J.  C.  Randall, 

1905  Chestnut  st.,  Philadelphia. 

S.  H.  & H.  Chapman, 

1348  Pine  st.,  Philadelphia. 

Charles  Steigerwalt, 

130  E.  King  st.,  Lancaster,  Pa. 

Geo.  W.  Massamore, 

Baltimore,  Md. 


RARE  COINS. 

The  following  American  Coins  are  all  rare  and  command 
premiums,  when  in  fine  state  of  preservation : 

United  States  Cents. 

1793  - $2  00  1799 .. $5  00  1809 .. $ 35 

1794  25  1800 15  1811 25 

1795  15  1804 3 00  1813 15 

1796  15  1805 15  1856  Small  nick’l, 

1797... 10  1808 10  Flying  Eagle...  1 50 

United  States  Half  Cents. 

1793  $ 75  1800... $ 5 1831 $2  50 

1794  20  1802 50  1836.. 3 50 

1795  15  1805...; 5 1840  to  1848 3 00 

1796  6 00  1810 5 1852 2 00 

1797  15  1811 20 


United  States  Silver  Dollars. 

1794  $20  00  1803.... $1  20  1851 $20  00 

1795  1 20  1804 200  00  1852 20  00 

1796  1 30  1836 4 00  1854 1 50 

1797  1 30  1838 20  00  1855 1 25 

1801  1 20  1839... - 12  00  1858 12  00 

1802  1 20 


United  States  Silver  Half  Dollars. 


1794 $1  50  1797 ..$10  00  1815 $1  25 

1795.  60  1801 1 00  1836  reeded  edge  1 00 

1796 10  00  1802 1 50  1852 1 00 

United  States  Silver  Quarter  Dollars. 

1796  $1  00  1815 $ 40  1824 $ 50 

1804.. ... 75  1823 15  00  1827....... 25  00 

United  States  Dimes. 

1796.. .... $ 75  1802 $1  25  1809 - $ 25 

1797  - 1 00  1803. 1 00  1811 25 

1798  1 00  1804 2 50  1822 25 

1800.. ......... 1 00  1805 - 20  1846 - 20 

1801 - 1 00  1807 20 

United  States  Half  Dimes. 

1794  - $ 75  1800 $ 40  1805 $1  00 

1795  25  1801. 1 00  1846 50 

1796.  75  1802 20  00 

1797..  - 75  1803 75 

1877 — 5-cent  nickel $ 50 

1877— 3-cent  nickel.... 60 

Gold  Eagles— 1795,  1796,  1797,  1798. 

Gold  Half  Eagles— 1795,  1796,  1797,  1798,  1815,  1819,  1822,  1824,  1825* 
1826,  1827,  1828,  1829,  1831. 

Gold  Quarter  Eagles— 1796,  1797,  1798,  1802,  1804,  1805,  1806,  1807* 
1808, 1821,  1824,  1825, 1826,  1827,  1829,  1830,  1831,  1832,  1833. 

The  above  list  was  furnished  by  SCOTT  STAMP  AND  COIN  OO.* 
Limited,  12  East  Twenty-third  Street,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


+-NOTE  TO  THE  VISITORS*- 

OF  THE 

PHILADELPHIA  MINT. 


As  there  are  many  places  of  interest  in  “Penn’s  Favorite  City,”  the  publisher 
©f  this  work  would  respectfully  suggest  that  visitors,  who  have  the  leisure,  should  see 
some  of  the  well-known  institutions  of  “The  City  of  Brotherly  Love.”  Among  the  rare 
places  ofinterest,  after  the  United  States  Mint,  is  1st. — THE  NEW  PUBLIC  BUILDINGS 
(in  same  square),  known  as  the  NEW  CITY  HALL,  the  Largest  and  Finest  in  the  World, 
surpassing  even  the  Capitol  at  Washington.  2d.— FAIR  MOUNT  PARK,  the  largest  and 
most  beautiful  public  pleasure  ground  in  the  United  States,  embracing  nearly  three 
thousand  acres,  on  both  sides  of  the  Schuylkill  River,  from  Fairmount  Water  Works  to 
Indian  Rock,  on  the  romantic  Wissahickon.  3d— GIRARD  COLLEGE,  where  fourteen 
hundred  Orphan  Boys  are  maintained,  clothed,  and  educated  through  the  bountifm 
munificence  of  Philadelphia’s  great  benefactor,  Stephen  Girard.  4th  — WANA= 
MAKER’S  GREAT  STORE,  East  of  and  almost  adjoining  the  Mint.  This  immense 
establishment  (the  largest  of  the  kind  in  the  world)  has  grown  to  such  vast  proportions 
during  the  past  decade  that  we  feel  compelled  to  give  it  a brief  notice,  as  it  has 
become  one  of  the  features  of  our  city,  and  an  object  of  interest  to  our  visitors.  The 
building  itself  is  unique;  it  occupies  an  entire  square,  viz.: — from  Thirteenth  to 
Juniper  and  from  Market  to  Chestnut  Streets — entrance  on  each  of  the  four  streets. 
The  flooring  space  oscupied  in  the  interior,  including  first  floor,  basement,  and  galleries, 
embraces  more  than  sixteen  acres,  and  all  this  immense  space  is  occupied  with  such 
goods  as  everybody,  at  some  time  in  life,  feels  the  necessity  of  purchasing.  The  general 
arrangement  and  classification  of  goods  from  all  nations  (there  being  over  fifty  separate 
and  distinct  departments),  suggests  a reproduction  of  the  Main  Building  of  our  late 
great  Centennial  Exposition,  with  the  Department  of  Public  Comfort  added.  One  of 
the  great' features  of  this  Mammoth  Bazaar  is  that  visitors  are  made  to  feel  at  home, 
every  provision  being  made  for  their  convenience.  There  are  commodious  Retiring 
and  Reading  Rooms  on  either  floor.  One’s  Satchel  and  Parcels  are  checked  without  cost, 
and  no  one  is  importuned  to  purchase.  Visitors  will  find  it  hard  to  resist  the  Tempting 
Offers  and  Low  Prices  marked  on  the  goods.  5th.— INDEPENDENCE  HALL, 
(The  Nation’s  Birth-place)  Chestnut  Street  between  Fifth  and  Sixth  Streets;  National 
Museum,  in  same  building,  containing  many  interesting  relics  of  the  Revolution  and 
of  Washington’s  Camp  Life;  The  Old  Liberty  Bell  hanging  in  the  hallway  leading 
to  Independence  Square,  where  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  read  to  the 
people,  July  4th,  1776.  6th.— ACADEMY  OF  FINE  ARTS,  Broad  • Street  (west  side) 
between  Arch  and  Race  Streets,  should  be  visited  by  all  lovers  of  the  Fine  Arts. 
7th. — The  NEW  MASONIC  TEMPLE,  Northeast  corner  Broad  and  Filbert  Streets. 
Visiting  days  every  Thursday.  8th.— The  NEW  POST  OFFICE  and  U.  S.  COURT 
BUILDING.  This  is  one  of  the  finest  buildings  of  the  kind  in  the  country,  and  well 
worthy  of  a visit;  also,  the  NEW  “RECORD”  BUILDING,  adjoining.  9th. — The 
BURIAL  PLACES  OF  BENJAMIN  and  DEBORA  FRANKLIN  can  be  seen  at  South- 
east corner  Fifth  and  Arch  Streets.  10th. — There  are  other  notable  places  of  interest 
in  the  City  Of  “Brotherly  Love,”  among  which  may  be  mentioned  CARPENTERS’ 
HALL,  UNION  LEAGUE,  DEAF  AND  DUMB  AND  BLIND  ASYLUMS,  LAUREL 
HILL  CEMETERY,  PENNSYLVANIA  AND  WILL’S  HOSPITALS,  and  the  hundred 
and  one  other  benevolent  institutions  for  which  Philadelphia  is  justly  celebrated* 


One  Swallow 

PONT  MAKE  Summer.” 

When  you  have  seen  the  Mint  you 
haven’t  seen  everything  worth  seeing 
in  this  City,  There’s  another  estab- 
lishment here  over  whose  threshold 
enough  men  and  women  have  passed 
to  make  a fair-sized  commonwealth. 
The  home  of  the  Compound  Oxygen 
Treatment,  1529  Arch  St.  Every- 
body welcome.  Consultation  free. 

Compound  Oxygen  is  shipped  to  all 
parts  of  the  World.  It  can  be  used 
with  full  effect  in  the  privacy  of  home. 

A book  of  200  pages  will  be  sent  entirely  free  of  charge  to  any  one. 
This  book  contains  the  names,  addresses  and  signed  indorsements  of  many 
well-known  men  and  women.  It’s  worth  reading.  These  patients  do  the 
talking  in  its  pages.  Not  Drs.  Starkey  & Palen.  Evidence,  lots  of  H. 
Encouragement  of  fact.  You  can  find  these  patients,  and  correspond  with, or 
call  upon  them.  If  you  want  the  book, 

Address, 

Drs.  STARKEY  & PALEN, 

No.  1829  Arch  Street, 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA. 


ELECTRO 'TINT  ENGRAVING  CO. 


BRANCH  OFFICE : 

425  Temp/e  Court 

NEW  YORK  CITY. 


Cf\estl\vit  St, 

PHILADELPHIA. 


ENGRAVINGS  IN  HALF-TONE  FOR  ALL  ILLUSTRATIVE  PURPOSES*, 
THE  ENGRAVINGS  IN  THIS  BOOK  ARE  SPECIMENS  OFOVRWORK. 


f^eserl/e 
{?(ind 

life 

]\ssoti$\o[) 

of  eW York 


[F 


000 


000 


( sr 


EDWARD  B.  HARPER,  President. 

T7URNISHES  Life  Insurance 
at  about  one-half  the 
usual  rates  charged  by 
he  old  system  com- 
panies. 

Why  Pay  JVIore  ? 

it  is  the  insurance  for 
you  and  your 
family. 


It  fla5 


A Reserve  Fund  of  over  . 
Paid  Death  Claims  . . 

In  force,  Policies  amt’g  to 


. $3,000,000 
$12,000,000 
$220,000,000 


YOU  OUGHT  TO  BE  IH  IT. 


I?lFOf*IvrATIOfl  GIVEJ4  BY 

SAMUEL  W.  WRAY, 

Treasurer  and  ^Managing  Director, 


PHILADELPHIA  DEPARTMENT: 

OFFICE,  119  S.  FOURTH  STREET, 


PHILADELPHIA. 


' 


GETTY  CENTER  LIBRARY 


I II  II 
3 3125  00741  0083 


